Possible Murder Charge | Suspect in Child Abuse Case Under Investigation

South Pasadena community in shock, mourning the death of the infant last fall.

FILE PHOTO: Steven Lawrence | SouthPasadenan.com News | South Pasadena Police Department

The South Pasadena Police Department, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, is investigating the death of a six-month-old infant, who was pronounced deceased at the Ronald Reagan Memorial Hospital on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Homicide investigators were called out to assist the South Pasadena Police Department in the investigation.

The infant was a victim of severe child abuse that occurred on Sunday, September 25, 2022. At that time, South Pasadena Police Officers responded to the 300 Block of Grace Drive for a newborn baby not breathing call. Officers and Fire Department personnel found the infant non-responsive and attempted life-saving measures at the scene. The infant was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

Suspect Christopher Richmond was arrested for felony child abuse following the initial call for service and was charged on October 3, 2022. On January 13, 2023, he was held to stand trial for the child abuse charge. LA County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are now investigating the case and working with the LA County District Attorney’s Office to amend Suspect Richmond’s case to include the charge of murder.

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Richmond is in custody on $1 million bail, according to police records.

At this time, as per proceedure, the South Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department are not providing more information about the ongoing investigation.

Per an official press release today: Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Murder Charge Investigation Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homeside Division