Westminster Woman Arrested for Allegedly Killing 9-Year-Old Daughter: Khadiyjah Pendergraph Suspected of Murder

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Westminster Woman Arrested for Allegedly Killing 9-Year-Old Daughter

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (CNS) — In a shocking incident that has left the community in disbelief, a 32-year-old woman from Westminster has been arrested for allegedly killing her 9-year-old daughter. The Westminster Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence on Goldenwest Street following a tip from a concerned family member.

According to Sergeant Edward Esqueda, officers forced their way into the home where they discovered the lifeless body of the young girl, who showed obvious signs of trauma. The mother, identified as Khadiyjah Pendergraph, was immediately considered a person of interest in the case. Working in collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, detectives from Westminster Police located and apprehended Pendergraph at a shopping center in Aliso Viejo.

Pendergraph has been booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder. The community is reeling from the tragic loss of a child, allegedly at the hands of her own mother. Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi expressed his deep condolences to the victim’s family, stating, “While police officers are exposed to tragedies on a daily basis, this murder is particularly disturbing due to the senseless loss of a child allegedly at the hands of her own mother.”

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and contact Detective Marcela Lopez at 714-548-3773. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6287 or through their website, www.occrimestoppers.org.

The shocking tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with neighbors and friends expressing their grief and disbelief. The local authorities have assured residents that they are working diligently to uncover all the details surrounding this heartbreaking incident.

As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the unimaginable loss of a young life and the devastating impact it has had on those who knew her. The senseless act has left parents and families in the area questioning their own safety and the well-being of their children.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of reporting any suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. It is essential for communities to come together to protect the most vulnerable members and ensure their safety.

The Westminster Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working tirelessly to gather evidence and bring justice to the victim and her grieving family. The community is urged to support one another during this difficult time and to remember the young girl whose life was tragically cut short.

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