3-Year-Old Palmdale Boy Shot While Sleeping

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — A 3-year-old Antelope Valley boy was shot while sleeping, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Monday.

Deputies responded to a call of three to five gunshots heard around 9:50 p.m. Sunday in the 38000 block of 65th Street East in Palmdale.

"Preliminary investigation indicates gunshots were fired at the location, where one or more bullets penetrated the exterior wall and struck the victim in the lower back, as he slept in his crib," said Lt. Ellison.

"I just heard my baby brother screaming and then my mom started crying. I was like, 'What happened?'" brother Samuel Hernandez said.

Another bullet was found in the parents' mattress.

The toddler, named Dylan, "was wrapped in a heavy blanket.  The impact of the bullet only caused a large bruise and small burn on the victim, but did not penetrate his body," Lt. Ellison added.

The boy was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

"I thank God because I have my baby with me," Dylan's mother, Maribel, said.

"The family's been living here for about three years and no enemies, nothing at all, so they don't understand why this happened to them," Det. Nelson Rios said.

The unknown suspects fled the scene on foot. No description was available.

The victim's family has no known or suspected gang affiliation.

Anyone with information should contact the LASD's Palmdale Station at (661) 272-2400.