PALMDALE – A 19-year-old mother and her 21-year-old boyfriend were arrested early Saturday morning for the beating death of the woman’s 2-year-old son, according to a Sheriff’s report.
Jennifer Zolorzano and Joe Hickman were arrested for murder and booked at the Palmdale Sheriff’s station. They are being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Investigators say Zolorzano rushed her 2-year-old son to a local hospital for head injuries and said the child slipped and fell while taking a bath. The child was pronounced dead by medical staff upon arrival to the hospital.
Homicide Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 38200 block of 5th Street East in Palmdale to assist Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies in investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
During their investigation, detectives discovered the child had multiple bruises and burns about his body that were not consistent with the mother’s statements. Upon further investigation, Zolorzano and Hickman admitted to brutally beating the child inside their Palmdale home, according to the Sheriff’s report.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.