Three people are in custody on suspicion of child abuse that led to the death of an 11-year-old girl in the East County.

Sheriff's Homicide Lieutenant Chris Steffen will be available for on-camera interviews regarding this case today, November 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Sheriff's Investigations, Crime Lab, Property and Evidence (ICP) Building located at 5590 Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department Homicide Investigators with assistance from the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force made the arrests in 32000 block of Sutter Road in the Lucerne Valley area of San Bernardino County on Monday, November 7. The third suspect was arrested near the intersection of Cable Street and Del Monte Avenue in the Ocean Beach area within the City of San Diego. 

Here are the charges the suspects are facing:

• 49-year-old Leticia McCormack (DOB 5/27/1973) was booked into the Vista Detention Facility for 187(A)PC – Murder, three counts of 206PC – Torture, three counts of 273A(A)PC – Willful and cruelty to a child.
• 70-year-old Adella Tom (DOB 12/24/1951) was booked into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility for three counts of 206PC – Torture, three counts of 273A(A)PC – Willful and cruelty to a child.
• 75-year-old Stanley Tom (DOB 6/6/1947) was booked into the San Diego Central Jail for 187(A)PC – Murder, three counts of 206PC – Torture, three counts of 273A(A)PC – Willful and cruelty to a child.

Adella and Stanley are Leticia McCormack's parents.

The investigation that led to today's arrests started on August 30 just before 2:00 a.m. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station responded to a call of a child in distress at a home in the 3300 block of Lakeview Drive in Spring Valley.

The child, Arabella McCormack, was rushed to a hospital. During the investigation, detectives suspected signs of possible child abuse. While in the hospital, Arabella's health declined and she died.

The Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation. During the investigation into Arabella's death, deputies contacted her father, Brian McCormack, near the family's home. He committed suicide in their presence.

Arabella had a six and seven-year-old sisters.  They are currently living with a foster family.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department holds the information of child abuse victims in the strictest of confidence. It is also the policy of the Sheriff's Department not to release identifying information about minor victims.

The safety of our children is of paramount importance to the Sheriff's Department. We respond to all reports alleging child abuse and neglect. Conducting an accurate investigation is a long and tedious process. Gathering evidence and conducting interviews must be done methodically while protecting the children and preserving the rights of parents and family members.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330. After hours, call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Media Contact: Chris Steffen, Lieutenant
Chris.Steffen@sdsheriff.org
Sheriff's Homicide Unit (858) 285-6330