Couple Arrested in Death of Child
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PALMDALE — A Palmdale couple have been arrested on suspicion of child abuse after the death Saturday of their 18-month-old daughter from severe head injuries, authorities said.
Dereck Browne, 32, and Katherine Basura, 35, were arrested Friday after detectives investigated injuries the child suffered Thursday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Diana Hecht said.
Hecht said detectives plan to add a murder charge against Browne next week.
Hecht said investigators believe Browne threw his daughter, Alicia, against the wall after she spilled food on the living room couch at their Avenue E home Thursday evening.
The parents then drove the child to Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center in Lancaster, where she was admitted in critical condition, Hecht said.
The girl died Saturday morning, she said.
Basura is being held at Sybil Brand Institute for Women in Los Angeles, and Browne at the Men’s Central Jail, deputies said. Each is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
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