Two individuals have been taken into custody by authorities in connection with the tragic death of an 8-year-old girl in a Bakersfield hotel room. The horrifying incident took place at the Lita Inn on Riverside Drive on a recent Saturday evening.
Around 5:30 p.m., the Bakersfield police were alerted to a possible fatality at the hotel, based on indirect information. Upon reaching the scene, officers found the bathroom door of the specified room locked. After gaining entry, they found the young girl’s body in the bathtub, showing signs of severe trauma.
The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) quickly mobilized its crime scene and detective units to investigate the case. Their inquiries led them to two individuals, 31-year-old Ray Ma Jr., a Bakersfield resident, and 27-year-old Graciella Bamonte, from Delano, who were identified as the primary suspects.
The nature of the relationship between the suspects and the victim remains uncertain, with only limited information available. The BPD has chosen not to disclose such details, stating that it could risk revealing the victim’s identity before the coroner’s office officially confirms it.
Both suspects were arrested and detained in the Kern County Jail early on Sunday morning. They are facing charges that include first-degree murder, torture, and multiple counts of child abuse. The dates for their court appearances in Kern County are still to be set.
The investigation is still underway, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the BPD at 661-327-7111. The community is still grappling with the loss of the young girl, and questions linger about the circumstances that led to her premature death.