BABY LUNA CASE — NEW DETAILS EMERGE AFTER 4-MONTH-OLD FOUND IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES DUMPSTER

A heartbreaking case in South Los Angeles has left a family and an entire community searching for answers after 4-month-old Luna Babers was found inside a dumpster late Monday night.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded at around 10:30 p.m. on September 28 after receiving a report that a female infant had been found inside a trash container in the area of Alba Street.

Paramedics rushed the baby to a local hospital, but she was pronounced dead. Police subsequently launched a homicide and child-abuse investigation.

WHO WAS LUNA?

Relatives identified the baby as Luna Babers, a 4-month-old girl who had been receiving care from her maternal relatives.

Laura Lacy and Herman Johnson had been caring for Luna and described the infant as deeply loved and an important part of their family.

After the discovery, the family gathered with neighbors for a candlelight vigil. Flowers, balloons and candles were placed near the location where Luna was found.

Lacy, overcome with grief, told reporters that she simply missed her granddaughter and struggled to understand what had happened. Johnson described the loss as leaving a deep emotional wound.

A TRAGIC DISCOVERY

According to NBC Los Angeles, a woman taking out the trash discovered a black cloth bag inside the dumpster at approximately 10:30 p.m.

At first, she reportedly believed she was looking at a doll. After realizing it was a baby, she and another resident immediately called 911.

The infant was found fully dressed, according to accounts reported by local media.

LUNA’S MOTHER HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED

Luna’s 19-year-old biological mother, Takiyah Rochelle Babers, was arrested shortly after the discovery.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has now charged Babers with murder and assault on a child causing death, according to court records reported by the Los Angeles Times and NBC Los Angeles.

Babers is being held on $2 million bail.

Her initial court appearance was scheduled for October 1, but the hearing was continued, and she had not entered a plea as of the latest reports. Her next court date is scheduled for October 30.

Under U.S. law, the charges are allegations, and Babers is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

FAMILY LEFT SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

The case has been especially painful for the people who had been caring for Luna.

At the community vigil, family members struggled to understand how the tragedy could have happened.

Bianca Jones, described by NBC as Babers’ foster sister, expressed anger and heartbreak while remembering the infant.

The family has also said they want answers about what happened to Luna before she was found.

Meanwhile, investigators continue working to establish the complete timeline and circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The LAPD said its Juvenile Division and Abused Child Section investigated the circumstances surrounding Luna’s death.

The exact cause and manner of Luna’s death have not been publicly disclosed in the latest local reports.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that an advocate for Luna’s caregivers said security footage may be part of the investigation. Those claims have been reported by the newspaper, but investigators have not publicly released all of the evidence, so the full circumstances remain subject to the ongoing case.

For now, the South Los Angeles community is left mourning a baby who lived only four months.

A small memorial of candles, flowers and balloons now marks the place where Luna was discovered — as her loved ones continue waiting for answers about what happened to the little girl they say was deeply loved.

The investigation remains ongoing.