SAN DIEGO–A couple headed to Mexico Tuesday afternoon were arrested by Mexican authorities at the U.S./Mexico border after finding the body of a two-year-old girl stuffed inside a duffel bag.
U.S. authorities arrested 43-year-old Mercy Mary Becerra and 39-year-old Johnny Lewis Hartley, both from Whittier, CA. The couple was booked into jail on one count of murder.
San Diego police was contacted by Mexican law enforcement authorities regarding the apprehension of a male who had a deceased child inside a duffle bag. Homicide detectives met with Mexican authorities at the Port of Entry in San Ysidro where they were briefed by officials.
Hartley was denied entry into Mexico and was turned over to the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Medical Examiner’s office took custody of the deceased child.
When the couple were stopped by Mexican custom agents, the woman fled. The man was detained with the duffle bag. An x-ray of the bag revealed the body of a child. A short time later the female was taken into custody by Mexican authorities and turned over to U.S. authorities.
Homicide detectives believe the child’s death may have occurred in Whittier, therefore the San Diego police are working closely with detectives of the Whittier Police Department.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
