An Orange County mother was placed under arrest at a shopping mall after her 9-year-old daughter was found dead in their Westminster home, the body displaying "obvious signs of trauma." According to FOXLA, authorities conducted a grim discovery at their Goldenwest St. residence Friday afternoon, having been summoned by a worrisome call from a family member.
The Westminster Police absolutely needed to force entry to the home at around 12 p.m. when they stumbled upon the tragic scene. Police Chief Darin Lenyi, expressed his heartbreak, saying, "While police officers are exposed to tragedies on a daily basis, this murder is particularly disturbing due to the senseless loss of a child allegedly at the hands of her own mother." Khadiyjah Aliyyah Ali Pendergraph, the 32-year-old suspected mother, was taken into custody in an Aliso Viejo shopping center.
Shortly after the discovery, acting on investigative leads, the Westminster Police, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, located Pendergraph and made the arrest. She has since been booked for murder at the Orange County Jail as conveyed by ABC7. The Westminster Police Department is currently processing the scene and seeking additional evidence.
"The members of the WPD grieve with the victim's family and extend our deepest condolences," Lenyi added to KTLA, inviting anyone who might have further information about the homicide to reach out to Detective Marcela Lopez at (714) 548-3773. Anonymous tips continue to be welcomed at Orange County Crime Stoppers.
