Fugitive pair returned to Kern County in foster child's death

By Tammy Brown

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - A man and woman wanted in connection with the July 18, 2010, death of a Bakersfield foster child have been returned by the FBI to Kern County to face charges.

The Sacramento Division of the U.S. Department of Justice made the announcement Sunday.

Alberto and Carla Garcia had been in the custody of Mexican authorities since February 2012 awaiting extradition.

Serenity Julia Gandara, 3, was found dead inside the Garcia's southwest Bakersfield home in 2010. Investigators said Carla Garcia called her sister to tell her about the death, and the aunt called police. Serenity's 4-year-old brother was found asleep in a bedroom.

The sheriff's in-custody webpage shows the Garcias are jailed without bail and scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.