Mother's Boyfriend Arrested in Stabbing Death of 2-Year-Old Girl

The child's mother, who is 5 months pregnant, was hospitalized after the attack in Jefferson Park

The boyfriend of a pregnant woman whose 2-year-old daughter was fatally stabbed Monday night was arrested on suspicion of murder hours after what police described as a "vicious" attack at the couple's Jefferson Park home.

The attack, which left the child's 22-year-old pregnant mother hospitalized with stab wounds, occurred around 10 p.m. in the 3500 block of Arlington Drive bordering Exposition Park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The woman was in critical, but stable, condition Tuesday morning, police said.

Lataz Gray, 22, was arrested Tuesday morning at a hospital, where he was seeking treatment for cuts to his hand, police said. Residents told police that Gray had lived with the victims for a few months.

There was no family relationship between the suspect and slain child, but the woman is 5 months pregnant with the couple's baby, police said. 

"This was one of the most vicious incidents I have seen," said LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham.

Gray allegedly stabbed the woman "multiple times," then stabbed her daughter, according to police. Neighbors reported what sounded like the couple arguing before the stabbing, police said. 

Phillip Gray, the suspect's father, convinced his son to turn himself in, police said. The home is apparently owned by the suspect's father, who lives nearby.

Phillip Gray said talking his son into giving himself up to police was heart wrenching.

"I said, 'They gonna kill you,'" Gray said. "You do something stupid. You gonna turn yourself in? He said, 'OK.'"

The mother has yet to be interviewed by police, who said they are still gathering details about what led to the attack.

The toddler's family has started a GoFundMe to help with burial costs, and can be found here

NBC4's Angie Crouch and Heather Navarro contributed to this report. 

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