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San Bernardino Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder After 5-Year-Old Son Dies

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say they have arrested the 46-year-old mother of a small child on suspicion of murder.

San Bernardino police say they responded to the 1000 block of W. Temple Street just after 4:10 p.m. Tuesday following a 911 call reporting a woman and boy who had been injured.

When they arrived, they discovered a 5-year-old boy who sustained injuries that appeared to have been caused by a "sharp instrument," police said.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Maria Isabel Bautista De Lopez, was taken to a hospital with injuries believed to have been self-inflicted, police said.

"She was on the stretcher and her eyes were closed and she looked very … full of sweat. I was looking to see if she was breathing. She was breathing, but she was breathing very heavily," said Marlon Cervantes, a neighbor.

De Lopez was interviewed and a search warrant was served at the home before the woman was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Maria Isabel Bautista De Lopez, 46, of San Bernardino
Maria Isabel Bautista De Lopez, 46, of San Bernardino has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of her 5-year-old son. (credit: San Bernardino Police Department)

The manner in which the boy died has not been released. Neighborhood children described him as a sweet and fun boy.

"He really liked to play Superman, Batman and stuff. He liked to play tag," Amarre Walker, a neighbor, said.

"They were really nice. They're quiet. Everyone around here is quiet and mind their own business, so you know for something like this to happen, it's like shocking," Felicia Hollier, another neighbor, said.

Anyone with more information about this case was asked to call Detective Marco Granado at (909) 384-5628 or Sergeant Emil Kokesh at (909) 384-5613.

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