Rosalba Cruz Moran

After a lengthy investigation, Sheriff's Homicide detectives have made an arrest in a homicide involving a newborn baby abandoned in a strawberry field in Camarillo that occurred on May 21, 2012.

In the morning hours of May 21, 2012, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Bureau began investigating the homicide at La Esperanza Farms on Central Avenue in the unincorporated area of Camarillo.

During the investigation, detectives collected over 100 DNA buccal swabs from field workers in the area that day. For many months, detectives interviewed potential witnesses and followed various leads, while making public service announcements requesting help in locating anyone with information about the mother of the baby.

Forensic scientists working in the Sheriff's Crime Lab diligently processed all of the DNA swabs and were able to identify one of the donor DNA samples as being that of a close relative of the mother.

Through investigation, Homicide detectives identified Rosalba Moran, a resident of Oxnard, as being the possible mother (suspect). Moran's DNA was collected pursuant to a search warrant while she was in custody at the Todd Road Jail on unrelated charges. Forensic scientists processed Moran's DNA and confirmed Moran was the mother of the baby abandoned at La Esperanza Farms.

Significant evidence directly linked Moran to the murder of her newborn baby. On December 21, Moran was arrested for murder and remains in custody at the Todd Road Jail with bail set at $1,000,000. At this time, detectives are following leads to identify the father. Anyone with additional information about the case can contact Detective Lopez or Detective Worthy at (805) 383 8786.

Detectives would like to remind the community that the California Safely Surrendered Baby Law was signed into state law in January 2006. The law's intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender an infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked. Safe Surrender sites are hospitals or other locations, typically fire stations, that are approved by the board of supervisors or fire agency in each county.

In Ventura County, dial 2-1-1 to find the nearest Safe Surrender location. For more information on the California Safely Surrendered Baby Law, visit: http://www.babysafe.ca.gov/.

Report Number: 12-11368
Location of Crime: La Esparanza Farms, Camarillo, CA
Arrest Date & Time: December 21, 2012
Unit Responsible: Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Rosalba Cruz Moran Oxnard, CA 20
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Ian Laughlin
Media Release Date: December 27, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Captain Don Aguilar (805) 797-7349
Approved by: Captain Chris Dunn

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).