A San Diego couple who allegedly admitted to dumping the body of a baby in an empty lot in Tijuana is now being investigated by the FBI.
Seven-month old Elliot Villalobos was found dead on Sept. 2 in the Lomas de la Presa neighborhood, about 12 miles south of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The baby’s mother, 20-year-old Jasmine Villalobos, led Chula Vista police to the body after officers found her living with her boyfriend, Luis Espinoza in San Diego.
On Tuesday, multiple law enforcement sources close to the investigation confirmed that the FBI is now involved in the case.
Law enforcement officials in San Diego and in Tijuana believe the baby was killed in Mexico. But, the FBI is considering whether it can bring charges based on a federal statute that says a U.S. citizen cannot kill another U.S. citizen in foreign lands.
NBC 7 also learned that new evidence in the case had been found; videos in which Villalobos and Espinoza allegedly spoke about hitting the baby when they thought it was necessary.
Villalobos’ relatives had reported her missing on August 31, concerned after they did not hear from her since the end of June.
According to authorities, Villalobos and Espinoza told officers that baby Elliot had suffered a fatal fall. They didn’t know what to do so they wrapped up the baby in blankets and left him in the empty lot in Tijuana.
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Espinoza is the not the baby’s biological father.
During a press conference on Tuesday, the District Attorney announced that authorities in Tijuana continue to investigate the case. As of now, the autopsy report will remain sealed for the homicide investigation.
Meanwhile, baby Elliot’s biological father, Joany Aguirre told NBC 7 that he will not stop fighting for justice.
“I woke up feeling good and blessed because I know Elliot has my back on this and he's looking down on me telling me 'you know, you're doing good, don't stop what you're doing,’” Aguirre said.
The father says a cousin of Villalobos even offered to help take care of Elliot but she had refused.
“She got offered help. It wasn't even about her, it was about the baby,” he told NBC 7. “She said 'you can just leave the baby here, you can go get your job back. Get your life straight'. She didn't want to, she refused and took off.”
The baby’s family will be holding a memorial on Sunday at noon in Tijuana. They plan on releasing white balloons in his memory and putting a cross where his body was found. Attendees are asked to wear white.
