NYLAH FRANCO-TORREZ - 3 yo - San Bernardino CA

As a child struggled to live at Loma Linda University Medical Center,
the teen accused of shooting her pleaded not guilty to all charges
against him in San Bernardino Superior Court today.


San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos filed one
count of murder, and seven counts of attempted murder, coupled with
applicable special allegations of use of a firearm, use of a firearm
causing great bodily injury and personal infliction of great bodily
injury against Brandon Taray Barnes, 19, of San Bernardino, according to
the DA’s office.


If convicted, Barnes faces 305 years to life in prison.



Police say that on Sept. 13, a gunman opened fire at a home in the
1300 block of N. D Street. Nylah Franco-Torrez, 3, was killed. Another
child and a pregnant woman at the home were seriously injured.


According to police reports, the gunman fired on the house because he
was angry that someone at the home had come to the aid of a woman the
suspect had tried to assault.


Nylah and 21-year-old La-Donna Howie and Howie's 4-year-old daughter,
Justine, were struck by the gunfire, according to several news reports.


Barnes has court dates scheduled for Sept. 26 and 28 in Department S22. His bail is set at $2,000,000.


“As the District Attorney, let me be clear about one thing, the
killing of babies in our community will not be tolerated,” Ramos said
through a written statement. “The defendant in this matter will be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”


The surviving victims remain hospitalized.
http://lomalinda.patch.com/articles/teen-charged-with-murder-of-local-toddler

Family, friends mourn slain San Bernardino 3-year-old

Melissa Pinion-Whitt, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/22/2011 11:22:32 AM PDT

Nylah Franco-Torrez s family pays their respects during her memorial service Thursday at Harrison-Ross Mortuary in San Bernardino. (Al Cuizon/Staff Photographer)

Photo Gallery: Memorial Service for Nylah Franco-Torrez

SAN BERNARDINO - Nylah Franco Torrez cherished girlie things, the movie "Avatar" and Minnie Mouse.

Reminders of the slain 3-year-old San Bernardino girl were everywhere as 200 people gathered at Harrison-Ross Mortuary to say farewell to her Thursday.

"She made us feel loved," her mother, Jessyca Franco, wrote in a letter that was read at Nylah's funeral.

Flower arrangements in the chapel included blue flowers in the shape of a high-heel shoe and another shaped like a purse. Images of the child with family members flashed across a television screen.
Relatives wore T-shirts with pictures of Nylah, some with "Stop the Violence" and peace symbols on the back. A young boy wore a black shirt with characters from "Avatar."

But amid the images of better times, family and friends also remembered the violent act that killed the young girl.

Nylah, La-Donna Howie, 21, and Howie's 4-year-old daughter, Justine Aguilar, were shot in front of their home in the 1300 block of North D Street on Sept. 12. Howie, who is pregnant, and her daughter suffered serious wounds.

"This is our city. This is our home. The violence must stop," said 2nd Ward Councilman Robert Jenkins.

Vince Ortega, a Victory Outreach pastor, described the night he was called by San Bernardino police to help the grieving family.

When he came to their home, he found friends and relatives angered by the attack.

"They wanted revenge, but I told them, `God is our avenger,"' he said.

Local activist Barbara Babcock encouraged the gathering to help Nylah's family for years to come.

She said the family of 11-year-old Anthony Ramirez of San Bernardino, who was shot and killed in 2006, hasn't fared well since his death.

Babcock said she ran into Ramirez's mother two years after the murder and the woman started to cry when asked if she needed help with Christmas presents.
"She said, `I hope I have electricity and water."'

Babcock worked with the city to pay for the family's utilities and get them some gift certificates.

Eric Martinez and other members of Nylah's family thanked the community for its support since the shooting.

"Although we suffered a great loss, our family is strong," Martinez said. "It brought us all together."

Howie, who suffered a bullet wound to her neck and jaw, has been out of the hospital since last week.

Justine, who received a head wound, remained at Loma Linda University Medical Center,where she was brought out of a medically induced coma on Sunday.
"They don't know how much brain damage she has, but we believe she is paralyzed on her left side," said Sophia Cardona, the child's great-grandmother.

Doctors plan to transfer the girl to Children's Hospital Los Angeles for further treatment.



Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_18954083?source=most_viewed#ixzz1YnlroeI8