Death of 4-year-old girl at South LA home investigated as homicide; victim's father arrested

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An arrest was made on Monday in connection to the death of a 4-year-old girl at a home in South Los Angeles.

Police arrested 23-year-old Charles Richard Lee, the victim's father, for child abuse resulting in death.

The incident was reported Sunday morning when authorities were called to a home on the 1500 block of East 42nd Street around 10:45 a.m.

The Los Angeles Police Department was called in to investigate. It was announced on Monday the death was being investigated as a homicide.

Detectives said the child was initially found in a bathroom of the home with some type of trauma and was taken to the hospital, but later died. Authorities released few details about the circumstances surrounding her death.

The girl lived at the home with her father.

Neighbors said they believe she has a brother but he may live with his mother. They were also stunned by the tragedy.

"A child died. No one wants to hear that, especially around this time," Daniel Samyoa said.

Another neighbor said everything appeared to be normal at the home. She said the little girl appeared to be well taken care of and that her family appeared to be fine.

Authorities are also looking into other adults who were in the home at the time of the girl's death.

The investigation is ongoing.