Father charged with murder of missing baby in Southern California

Yusef Dewees, 24, is pictured with his three-week-old son, Baki Dewees.

The father of a missing Palmdale baby has been charged with murder and child abuse, authorities said Wednesday.

Between May 2 and May 3, Yusef Dewees, 24, allegedly murdered his three-week-old son, Baki Dewees, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Baki was born April 14 and disappeared May 3 when he was last seen with Yusef, according to the boy's grandmother.

Two days after giving birth, the boy's mother, Rosealani Gaoa, 25, was arrested in Ogden, Utah, on suspicion of aggravated child abuse, intentional child abuse and reckless child abuse.

The couple then had four children. During Gaoa's arrest, a child, who was the subject of abuse allegations against the mother, was taken into custody by social services, according to the Los Angeles Times.

After Gaoa's arrest, Yusef allegedly took their three remaining children from Utah to Palmdale.

Days later, Yusef returned to Utah where authorities arrested him on May 7 after he allegedly lied to police about Baki's disappearance, the LA Times reported.

On May 14, investigators began searching an Antelope Valley landfill in hopes of finding the little boy's remains.

The reasons that led investigators to go to the landfill have not been revealed. However, authorities confirmed that the incident had been upgraded from a missing child case to a homicide case.

Following the search, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said no evidence was found in the dump. Detectives continued to search for the missing child's remains in several locations.

The infant's body has not yet been found.

On June 5, the prosecutor's office announced that Yusef was charged with one count of murder, one count of assault on a child resulting in death, and one count of child abuse under circumstances or circumstances. conditions that could cause serious bodily injury or death.

Yusef remains in custody in Utah, and Los Angeles officials filed an extradition warrant Wednesday.

The couple's two children who remained in California were removed by social services.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of this innocent child and express our support in the face of such senseless violence,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. “Child abuse has no place in our society and such acts of violence are unacceptable. Children are among the most vulnerable people in our society, and every child has the right to safety and protection as a human right. We are committed to vigorously seeking justice for the victim and their loved ones.

If convicted of these charges, Yusef faces life in prison.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.