16-year-old California boy killed, stepmother and father accused of murder, cops say

A 16-year-old California boy was assaulted and killed by his stepmother and police have charged her in connection to his murder.

The boy's father also faces charges of child abuse, police say.

Around noon on June 1, Pomona police were called to a home about a person needing CPR.

When police arrived, the teenage victim was not breathing and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities.

Officials said an investigation showed that the victim, George Almaraz, 16, had been assaulted by his stepmother before needing CPR. 

According to authorities, the teen had received significant injuries from physical abuse at the hands of his stepmother Jessica Grajeda, 35, in the past.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Grajeda with murder and child abuse charges, police said.

The boy’s father, George Luis Almaraz, 32, has been accused of not stopping the abuse by Grajeda or seeking medical attention for the teen, even though Almaraz was aware of the repeated abuse, officials said.

During the investigation, police said they also found five other children inside the house, between 1 and 13 years old.

The other children were taken into protective custody and police said it did not appear any of the other children were being physically abused.

In addition to Grajeda’s charges, George Almaraz was also charged with felony child abuse, police said.