The family of Ruben Fregoso is reeling in disbelief after police released disturbing CCTV footage that has left them questioning everything they thought they knew about the 40-year-old man and his relationship with his young daughter. The images, captured in a San Ysidro parking garage near the U.S.-Mexico border, show Fregoso calmly holding the hand of 5-year-old Daleyza Fregoso as they walk through the facility with luggage, just hours after authorities say a horrific tragedy unfolded in their Los Angeles home.

On May 24, 2026, Los Angeles police responded to a welfare check in the West Adams neighborhood and discovered Daleyza’s mother, identified as 36-year-old Marisol Garcia Palacios, dead from what investigators described as a violent death. Ruben Fregoso, the girl’s father, quickly emerged as the prime suspect. What has shaken the family most is the apparent trust the innocent 5-year-old showed toward her father in those final moments caught on camera. Relatives reportedly cannot comprehend how Daleyza, a bright and loving child, seemed to follow his lead without hesitation, possibly believing whatever reassuring words he may have told her amid the chaos.

Surveillance footage reveals the pair in an elevator and then exiting the garage around 7:30 a.m., shortly before they are believed to have headed toward Mexico. Fregoso’s white 2019 Land Rover was later recovered abandoned near the border area, but neither he nor Daleyza has been located despite an active Amber Alert spanning multiple counties and international coordination. Prosecutors have since charged Fregoso with murder and a misdemeanor count of child abuse, painting a picture of a man who allegedly committed the unthinkable before fleeing with his daughter.

For the extended family, the footage is nothing short of devastating. They describe Daleyza as a playful, trusting little girl who adored both parents. The idea that she might have innocently believed her father’s explanations—perhaps that they were simply going on an adventure or that everything was okay—has left them heartbroken and horrified. Neighbors in West Adams have gathered for vigils, placing flowers and photos of Marisol at the family home, mourning a mother taken too soon while praying for the safe return of the missing child.

This case highlights the terrifying reality of domestic tragedies that spiral out of control, where children often become unintended victims caught in the middle. Authorities believe Fregoso may have made prior statements indicating plans to leave the country, adding urgency to the manhunt. As days pass without resolution, questions linger: What exactly did Fregoso tell his daughter in those critical hours? How can a child so young process such betrayal? And most importantly, where are they now?

The community and law enforcement continue to appeal for any information that could lead to Daleyza’s safe recovery. Her description includes black hair, brown eyes, standing about 3 feet tall, and weighing around 45 pounds. This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within families and the desperate need for swift intervention in cases of potential danger. As the search intensifies across borders, hopes remain that little Daleyza will be found unharmed and reunited with loved ones who are anxiously awaiting her return.