Couple arrested after toddler dies

Andrew Edwards

A 16-month-old girl died Monday, one day after being checked in to

South Coast Medical Center, and authorities suspect child abuse.

The child’s mother, Maria Guadalupe Bucio, 21, and her mother’s

boyfriend, 34-year-old Jose Manuel Corona are being held at Orange

County Jail, police said.

Bucio and Corona, Los Angeles residents, were arrested and charged

with willful injury of a child.

Authorities have not yet decided whether the pair will be charged

with murder, Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

The girl was admitted to South Coast Medical Center on Sunday, and

was then transferred to Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

The girl died Monday at about 3:30 p.m. Lenyi said.

Autopsy results have not been completed, according to the Orange

County Coroner’s Division. A spokeswoman from the children’s hospital

declined to comment.

When the child was admitted to South Coast Medical Center, she was

suffering from severe head trauma, Lenyi said.

Police received a call that the child was a possible abuse victim

at 9:10 a.m. Sunday.

“Emergency room personnel suspected child abuse and called the

police department,” Lenyi said.

Lenyi said there was additional evidence of child abuse, but would

not provide further details.

Bucio and Corona were arrested hours later at about 12:57 p.m. The

woman has two other children, ages 6 and 9. They have been placed

with the Orange County Social Services Agency.