HESPERIA — A 19-year-old Hesperia woman has been arrested in the death of her newborn son, officials said Wednesday.
Nalani Cuellar was arrested on suspicion of murder Tuesday in the 16700 block of Elm Street in Hesperia, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
It happened shortly after Cuellar brought the baby’s body to the Desert Valley Medical Center in Victorville. Hospital staff contacted law enforcement after noticing “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the infant’s death, deputies reported.
“Detectives determined the baby was born at home hours prior to being brought to the hospital. The baby was deceased upon arrival at the hospital,” Det. Joe Steers said.
Cuellar was being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and is facing murder charges.
“She just panicked. She just gave birth to a child she knew she was carrying,” neighbor George Felgar said. “To hear that she’s being charged with what she’s being charged with is a shock.”
Felgar, who’s friends with Cuellar’s family, says he didn’t now Cuellar was pregnant: “She’s young, didn’t know what to do. The family was out of town at the time.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact the De.t Steers at (909)387-3589.
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