UPLAND, California — On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at about 1130 hours, Upland Police Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a child screaming. While speaking to the 9-1-1 operator, the reporting party saw the mother of a 1 ½ year old child holding the child over a second story landing. The mother proceeded to release the toddler, who fell to the ground below. Upon officers arriving on scene, they noticed the child on the floor and the mother subsequently jumped from the second story landing head first.
As officers were providing the child and mother first aid, additional officers conducted a safety sweep of the mother’s apartment. In the apartment they located a 6 to 7 month old female infant unresponsive and not breathing. Everyone was transported to a local hospital and the children were subsequently airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center. Unfortunately, the infant female succumbed to her injuries and passed. The male toddler is in stable condition with a broken foot.
The mother, Tierra Ortega, 24, was treated for facial injuries and was charged with homicide, attempted homicide and child abuse.
Detectives are working to determine a motive.
