Amber Alert suspect charged with killing girlfriend, abducting their daughter, Los Angeles DA says

WEST ADAMS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 40-year-old man wanted in connection with an Amber Alert is now facing murder and child abuse charges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday.

Ruben Fregoso is accused of killing his 36-year-old girlfriend, abducting their 5-year-old child, Daleza Fregoso, and fleeing to Mexico.

He's facing one count of murder and one misdemeanor count of child abuse under circumstance or conditions other than great bodily injury or death, the DA's office said.

"The killing of a mother and the abduction of a young child is the kind of violence that shocks the entire community," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. "I cannot imagine the grief and fear that the innocent child faced as she was allegedly snatched after her mother was killed. The defendant will face his day in court, and our Family Violence Division will pursue every available resource and work with federal and Mexican law enforcement authorities to seek justice for the woman whose life was stolen and for the child caught in this tragedy."

Fregoso and his daughter were last seen Sunday morning near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street. An Amber Alert was issued for the missing girl.

Marysol Garcia, the child's mother, was found dead inside her West Adams home Monday after police were called to conduct a welfare check.

Investigators believe Fregoso has taken his daughter to Mexico where he has family. His vehicle was found near the border, but there were no signs of the father and daughter.

If convicted as charged, Fregoso faces 25 years to life in state prison.