Lynwood, CA – A 25-year-old mother has been arrested after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies discovered her 7-year-old son’s body inside a freezer during a welfare check at a Lynwood apartment on Tuesday night. The case has been described by officials as one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking child deaths in recent memory.
The Incident: Boy Found Dead in Apartment Freezer
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), deputies were called to a residence on Euclid Avenue on October 29, 2025, after receiving a welfare check request for a child who had not been seen for several days.
When deputies entered the apartment, they made a horrifying discovery — the body of a 7-year-old boy hidden inside a freezer. Authorities immediately detained three adults at the scene, including the boy’s mother, father, and grandmother.
Neighbors in the area said they were shocked by the discovery, noting that the family seemed quiet and unremarkable. “You wouldn’t expect for that person to do something like that,” said Christian Torres, a neighbor who lived nearby.
Investigation and Arrests
Following preliminary questioning, LASD investigators arrested Destiny Harrison, 25, on suspicion of murder. Two other family members — the child’s father, Daniel Monzon, also 25, and his grandmother, Ana Zarceno-Carcamo, 46 — were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
“The circumstances surrounding this case are deeply tragic,” said a department spokesperson. “Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and determine how long the child had been deceased before his body was found.”
Authorities said the cause of death has not yet been released, pending results from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. The victim’s name is also being withheld due to his age and the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Reactions from Officials and Community
Local officials expressed shock and heartbreak over the child’s death. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released a statement Wednesday morning, offering condolences to those affected and promising full cooperation with investigators.
“This is an unimaginable and horrific tragedy,” Hahn said. “I stand ready to support the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as they investigate this child’s death. My heart breaks for what the other children in this home must have experienced.”
Community members in Lynwood have since gathered to honor the young boy’s memory, leaving candles, flowers, and stuffed toys outside the apartment building. Many expressed frustration over how such abuse could go unnoticed.
Child Protection Response and Family Background
Following the arrests, three other children living in the same home — ages 9 months, 13, and 16 — were immediately placed in protective custody by Los Angeles County Child Protective Services.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether prior complaints or reports were filed regarding the family, but child welfare investigators are reviewing the household’s history to determine whether signs of neglect or abuse were previously overlooked.
Investigators are also exploring whether other family members were aware of the child’s death or took part in concealing it. “The focus now is to understand what led to this and how long this child suffered before this tragic outcome,” a law enforcement source said.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Detectives from the LASD Homicide Bureau are leading the investigation and are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Authorities have asked the public to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
Prosecutors are expected to review the case within the coming days to determine formal murder and conspiracy charges against the suspects.
Conclusion
The gruesome discovery of a 7-year-old boy’s body in a freezer has left Lynwood reeling, raising fresh concerns about child safety and family violence in Los Angeles County. As detectives continue piecing together the events leading to the child’s death, the community remains united in grief — and in demanding justice for a life cut tragically short.
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