WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 9 p.m. update:
A family is in mourning after a one-year-old girl was tragically killed and West Sacramento Police say they have arrested the man responsible.
Dion Owens says his daughter, Amanda Marie Owens, was killed at the Silvey's Motel.
"She was a angel," said Owens. "That's my angel."
West Sacramento Police say the baby girl was found dead, from what they're calling "traumatic injuries" at the motel around noon Monday.
"I was hoping that my daughter would be okay and I could come and take her like I want to, like I was trying to do," explained Owens. "But she was dead."
Owens said he has been going through a custody battle with Amanda's mother when the baby girl was killed.
"I'm just so angry," said Owens. "There is no other word, I can't feel nothing else but anger, I'm not sad. I'm mad because all this happened for nothing because somebody didn't want her to be around me."
Edith Isom, Amanda's aunt, believes the young girl's death could have been prevented.
"You don't keep your baby from getting no love," said Isom. "She would have been safe with us and that would have never happened, ever."
People at the motel tell us they believe the young girl's mother had been staying there for a few weeks now, along with her other son who is three years old.
Derrick Woods was arrested Tuesday in connection to the child's death. Police have not said how Woods knew the young girl.
Update
The West Sacramento Police Department arrested Derrick Woods on Tuesday, following a region-wide manhunt.
Woods was arrested around noon at a Sacramento home.
The family of the infant has also identified her as Amanda Marie Owens.
Original story
The search continues for a man suspected of killing an infant who was found dead at a West Sacramento motel on Monday.
Officers were called out on a welfare check at Silvey’s Motel, 1030 W Capitol Ave, around noon on Monday, Feb 15, when they found the child dead from “traumatic injuries.”
Investigators later identified 43-year-old Derrick Woods as a person of interest in the killing, and an arrest warrant was issued by police. A photo of Woods was released to the public as police search for him, warning that he is considered dangerous.
"He's considered wanted at this point in association with a violent felony and should be considered dangerous. So, do not approach him, do not make contact with him, just contact the police and allow us to go out and make that contact," West Sacramento Police Sgt. Stefan Iwanicki told ABC10 on Monday.
On Tuesday, West Sacramento Police issued a new message to Woods on its Facebook page, asking him to peacefully surrender:
“Our search for Derrick Woods in connection with the homicide of a one-year-old continues, aided by law enforcement partners across the region. We ask for him to peacefully surrender as an act of humanity that may help begin to bring closure and healing to this family and our community.”
The identity of the child has not been released and authorities have not said what relationship Woods had to the infant.
Woods was last seen running from the area at the time of the incident. Iwanicki said police are concerned that he has ties out state and could be looking to leave the area.
The police department also linked to a collection of resources for families “facing stress through the challenges of COVID 19 and by other family and life pressures:”
