An Inglewood, California father by the name of Jayveyon Burley, 22, has been placed under arrest for the alleged murder of his 1-year-old child. According to ABC7, Leilani Dream Burley’s body was recovered from the Los Angeles River in Long Beach on Monday.
Photos of Leilani Dream Burley, the one-year-old whose body was found in the L.A. River. Her father faces charges of murder and child endangerment. Details: https://t.co/fEalCfEOZC pic.twitter.com/6EJlx7ui6q
— KTLA (@KTLA) December 7, 2022
Authorities were contacted Sunday night by the suspect’s mother. The woman informed police that Burley had gone to pick up his two children from their mother in Long Beach. However, he returned to his Inglewood home with only one child.
Police investigated the whereabouts of the 1-year-old and located her body in the LA river, below the Ocean Boulevard Bridge. Authorities arrested Burley for murder and child endangerment. And he was booked into the Inglewood Police Department Jail.
The Mother Of Leilani Dream Burley Speaks Out
Lynisha Hull has spoken out since the tragic murder of her daughter.
My daughter was murdered by her father. He threw her off the bridge.
Hull spoke exclusively with ABC7 and explained that Burley picks up his children regularly. He usually arrives on Sundays and returns the children on Wednesdays.
The mother recalled that Burley seemed angry when he last picked up his children. However, his behavior was otherwise “normal.”
He came to my home to pick up my kids. He was angry at the time but normal though. He was normal. He didn’t look like he was panicked at the time at all.
Hull also spoke about her daughter with NBCLA and recalled the moment she learned about the tragedy.
My baby always lights up the room with her big beautiful eyes. Leilani was only 1 year old. She was full of life, and she was so beautiful and loved.
They told me they found my baby in the river, that her father dropped her over the bridge in Long Beach. All I can imagine right now: was she screaming? Was she afraid? Was she saying ‘dada?’ Did he do something with his bare hands before he dropped her in the river?
Leilani Dream’s Brother
Hull also told NBCLA, that Leilani has a special bond with her brother older brother Zayveyon Burley.
Her name was Leilani
Leilani Dream Burley.
Only 18 months old her mother says she loved her big brother, music, books and dancing.
The life she loved so cut short by, of all people, her own father who today is behind bars accused of murdering her. 💔 pic.twitter.com/gZXWdCxKcG— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) December 7, 2022
She has an older brother, Zayveyon Burley…She loves him so much. Their bonds were so special.
Hull says that Zayveyon has been asking about his sister.
My son keeps asking me, ‘Where’s baby? Where’s baby?’. I can’t even tell him.
According to CBS News, Jayveyon Burley is being held in lieu of $215,000 bail. He is due in court on Wednesday.