In a heartbreaking incident in Southern California, authorities have detained a mother following the discovery of her 9-year-old daughter’s body in their Westminster home. Around midday on Friday, Westminster Police responded to a welfare check at a residence approximately 32 miles south of Los Angeles.
A report from NBC Los Angeles, after a family member expressed concern, police were called to the scene. They were forced to enter the house, where they found the young girl showing clear signs of harm. The house was otherwise empty.
The investigation quickly focused on the girl’s mother, 32-year-old Khadiyjah Pendergraph, who was later located and arrested at a shopping center in Aliso Viejo. She is now facing murder charges at the Orange County Jail. Authorities have stated that no other suspects are being sought, indicating the incident is isolated.
Westminster’s Police Chief Darin Lenyi expressed the department’s profound disturbance over the case, emphasizing the tragedy of a child’s life lost, allegedly at the hands of her mother. The department is in mourning with the victim’s family and offers its deepest sympathies.
Further investigations are ongoing as detectives gather more evidence and interview additional witnesses. The public is encouraged to share any information they may have with Orange County Crime Stoppers.