X

Three Suspects Arrested and Held in Connection with Death of Four-Year-Old

On Saturday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced that a third suspect has been arrested in connection with the discovery of a four-year-old girl’s body in a shallow grave in the desert. The body was discovered south of Baker, California, according to NBC 4 Southern California.

On Friday night around 9:15 p.m., Rayshawn Stanch, 26, was arrested on a violation of parole and suspicion of murder in the death of Samiah Downing. Stanch, of Adelanto, is being held without bail.

After the parents of Downing were interviewed by deputies, the girl’s body was found outside Baker, according to the sheriff’s department. The girl’s parents are Ronald Greer, 21, and Monicka Downing. Following the interview, their house was also searched by investigators.

“At the conclusion of the interviews, investigators were led to an area in the desert south of Baker, CA.  A shallow grave was located where the 4 year-old’s remains were recovered,” Rod Hoops of the sheriff’s department wrote in a statement.

Greer and Bianca Stanch are being held without bail following their arrests on Thursday for suspicion of murder. Investigators have said that Rayshaw and Bianca Stanch are cousins. All of the suspects in the case live in Adelanto and are schedule to be arraigned in the case on January 2, 2013.

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

Follow Jim Vassallo on Google+