Lancaster authorities are on the hunt for Luz Saez, a 32-year-old mother from Lancaster County, who has been charged in connection with the death of her 3-month-old child. The Lancaster City Bureau of Police issued a warrant for Saez's arrest on charges of endangering the welfare of children and involuntary manslaughter, as reported by ABC27 News.
Details surrounding the case emerged when police responded to an incident on August 30, after Saez fell asleep with her infant in her arms and later awoke to find her child deceased beside her. An affidavit revealed that Saez admitted to her drug use playing a role in the untimely death of her child. Saez's struggle with substance abuse came to light as she confessed to using crack cocaine throughout her pregnancy and while caring for the infant, as per Local 21 News.
The subsequent autopsy delivered by the Lancaster County Coroner's Office identified "Complications of Asphyxia Due to Co-Sleeping" as the cause of death. The manner of death was ruled accidental. Evidence collected at the scene included multiple crack pipes and a substance suspected to be crack cocaine, providing supporting context to Saez's self-reported drug activity as per police statements detailed by FOX43.
The Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency had previously devised a "safety plan" with Saez, following the discovery that her baby tested positive for cocaine shortly after birth, according to a criminal affidavit obtained by Local 21 News. Descriptions of the environment where Saez and the child lived painted a concerning picture, with illegal substances within reach and unsafe sleeping practices in place.
Police are seeking public assistance to locate Saez, described as a 5’2", 120 lbs Hispanic woman with brown hair. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Lancaster City Bureau of Police at 717-735-3300 or submit an anonymous tip online.
