Body of toddler discovered in duffel bag at San Ysidro border

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — A man and a woman attempting to cross into Mexico were arrested Tuesday after agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Ysidro discovered the body of a dead toddler in a duffel bag.

Mexican law enforcement stopped the Johnny Lewis Hartley, 39, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as they attempted to cross into Mexico Tuesday, but 43-year-old Mercy Mary Becerra fled, San Diego Police Lt Ray Valentin said. She was later detained and both were turned over to U.S. authorities.

Officials took an x-ray of a duffel bag obtained from the man which revealed the body of a two-year-old, Valentin said. 

The man and woman were booked into San Diego jail on one count each of murder. San Diego police believe the murder may have occurred in Whittier California. A joint investigation with Whittier Police Department was being conducted Wednesday.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to call the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.