UPDATE: June 29, 9:30 a.m.: Sacramento Sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau detectives have arrested Angela Phakhin, 27, and Untwan Smith, 46, of Arkansas after a three-year-old girl was found dead in the back of their SUV Wednesday.
Phakhin and Smith were arrested for child endangerment and conspiracy, and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Both of the suspects are being held in lieu of $1 million bail, and are scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday.
The girl was found in the back of a Toyota Rav4 by a motorcycle officer.
Investigators say Phakin and Smith had been living out of the vehicle since February.
ORIGINAL June 28, 6:00 p.m.: Rancho Cordova Police Department detectives are investigating the death of a toddler found in the back of a Toyota Rav 4 on Wednesday.
A motorcycle officer spotted the SUV parked the wrong way on Rod Beaudry Drive around noon.
A man and a woman were near the vehicle and have been identified as the owners of the car.
A records check revealed the man had an outstanding warrant in Arkansas.
Officers then searched the car and found a child under some blankets in the back seat.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department says the child was unresponsive and was declared deceased at the scene.
There were no obvious signs of trauma.
The man and woman found near the vehicle have been detained and are being questioned. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau and the Sacramento County Coroner are conducting the investigation.
A department news release did not provide an age or gender for the child.
The cause of death will be determined by the Sacramento Coroner’s office.
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