“Let me be clear, this was not an accident. A child was murdered in a deliberate act,” said Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat during a press conference to provide an update on the baby strangled on Tuesday, September 17.
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Pirnat said the infant–who, at the family’s request is only identified as an 8-month-old girl–died just after midnight a week later, on Sept. 23.
Alvaro Mejia Ayala, who was arrested hours after authorities responded to the scene, is a related to the victim, Pirnat stated without providing the relation.
A “very active investigation” remains underway, and with the forensic review, the process may take several months, the police chief said.
Additional charges, including murder will be filed, and Pirnat committed to pursuing every charge possible.
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This incident has deeply affected the community, the family, and every first responder called to help, she stated.
Ayala is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, and ICE has placed a detainer on him.
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