> At a Glance
> – Carmen Anita DeGregg, 24, was detained by UCLA police after allegedly admitting she harmed her 15-month-old daughter
> – The infant was found with significant injuries in a Santa Monica apartment and later pronounced dead at hospital
> – Local outlets report the weapon was a frying pan; father questioned but not arrested
> – Why it matters: The case highlights a rare but devastating instance of alleged maternal violence against a toddler, now classified as homicide
A 15-month-old California girl died Tuesday after what police describe as a brutal assault allegedly carried out by her own mother. The child’s body showed significant injuries consistent with an attack involving a frying pan, according to multiple local reports.
The Discovery
Campus officers first stopped Carmen Anita DeGregg shortly before noon near UCLA. Police say she “made statements indicating she had harmed her child and left the child inside an apartment” nearby.
Santa Monica officers rushed to the residence and found the toddler with critical wounds. Fire-department medics performed CPR on the way to the hospital, but the girl was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Neighbor Fred Moynier told Fox 11 he watched responders wheel the toddler out on a gurney:
> “It’s pretty bad. Why would a mother do that?”
Moynier added that “screams” were heard over the weekend, though it remains unclear exactly when the assault occurred.
Investigation & Charges
DeGregg, 24, was booked at the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of homicide. Jail records show:
- Bond set at $2 million
- Additional charge: under the influence of a controlled substance
- Arraignment scheduled for January 8
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine final cause and manner of death. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division continue to interview witnesses and process evidence.
| Key Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Carmen Anita DeGregg, 24 |
| Victim | 15-month-old daughter |
| Weapon (alleged) | Frying pan |
| Father | Questioned, not arrested |
| Location | Santa Monica apartment near UCLA |
Key Takeaways
- DeGregg reportedly confessed to UCLA police before her arrest
- The child succumbed to injuries after emergency transport to a local hospital
- Father was visibly distraught while speaking with officers at the scene
- Official autopsy results are pending
The tragedy has left neighbors and first responders grappling with the loss of a life barely over a year old.
