Woman arrested in fatal assault on infant in Lancaster

LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) -- Sheriff's deputies have arrested a woman who allegedly fatally assaulted an infant boy she was babysitting for a friend in Lancaster.

The incident began when Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and paramedics were called to the 43400 block of Gadsden Avenue in Lancaster at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a baby not breathing.

They found serious head trauma and bruising on the 5-month-old infant's upper torso and transported him to a hospital.

After investigating, detectives arrested Brittany Ingrassi, 30, of Lancaster, on Tuesday for cruelty to a child likely to produce great bodily injury or death. She was later arraigned on that charge.

They said Ingrassi was a long-time friend of the baby's father and had been babysitting at the time of the incident.

The baby died of injuries sustained in the assault on Saturday at 12:50 a.m., officials said.

Homicide detectives have now taken over the investigation and say they expect additional charges to be filed against the suspect.

Investigators asked anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).