Police Investigate Baby's Death At Foster Home

Child Was Reported Not Breathing Early Monday

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A baby boy that was living in a southwest Bakersfield foster home and day care is dead and police are investigating where the child was murdered.

Neighbors told 23 News that they often heard the screams of children coming from the house at 5311 Glacier Springs Dr. But Monday, there was only silence, as police brought out the lifeless body of a 3-month-old boy wrapped in a blanket.

Investigators are calling the child's death suspicious. They said the woman who lives in the house has foster children and runs a day-care center.

Police escorted four children and two adults --a man and a woman -- from the home. Neighbors identified the man as an assistant to the foster mother.

Officers said they got a call about 7 a.m. Monday that the baby was not breathing, but when help arrived, the boy was already dead.

Neighbor Valerie Kephart told 23 News that she and other neighbors were concerned the mother was not properly caring for the children.

"I confronted her and she was upset. I told her if something was going on, I was going to find out and report it," Kephart said.

Some of the neighbors told 23 News they felt guilty because they never reported their concerns.