Whittier couple caught at border with toddler's body in bag

WHITTIER >> Authorities at the U.S. border with Mexico arrested a couple who tried to leave the country with a dead toddler in a duffle bag on Tuesday.

San Diego Police Lt. Ray Valentin said detectives believe the crime occurred in Whittier.

Johy Lewis Hartley, 39, and Mercy Mary Becerra, 43, were booked on suspicion of first degree murder and child endangerment causing injury or death. They remain in custody in San Diego.

Authorities have not said how the suspects are related to the child nor have they revealed when the toddler was killed.

Mexican officials notified San Diego Police around noon Tuesday about a man they found was carrying a dead 2-year-old in a bag.

The man and a woman tried to enter Mexico. When Mexican Custom agents stopped them, the woman ran, according to a statement from San Diego Police.

Police said an X-ray of the duffle bag revealed the body inside.

The woman was caught and also turned over to U.S. authorities.

Homicide detectives with San Diego police are working with Whittier police detectives on the case.

Valentin referred the paper to Whittier police, who did not have details yet.

Booking records show Hartley is being held at San Diego Central Jail in San Diego while Becerra is at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. They will be arraigned Friday at the Central Courthouse in San Diego.