A 12-year-old boy died June 19 after jumping into Central Park Lake in Kern County, California, in an attempt to escape three aggressive dogs, according to the California City Police Department. The incident occurred on June 18 when police responded to a drowning call and found the boy, identified as Fernando Torres Moreno, in the water.
Authorities also discovered a young girl at the scene who had sustained non-life-threatening dog bites. She was transported to a local hospital, treated for her injuries, and subsequently released.
Witness accounts led investigators to Kenneth Dobbins, 68, who reportedly stated he was in the park with his three dogs at the time of the incident. Police have not taken Dobbins into custody.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement learned the dogs involved in the encounter belonged to Dobbins. When officers attempted to serve a search warrant connected to the drowning and attack, they found that Dobbins and the dogs were no longer at his last known location.
One of the dogs has since been recovered in Los Angeles County, but police are now seeking the public's assistance in locating Dobbins and the remaining two dogs. Dobbins is described as a transient with a prior felony conviction and loose ties to California City and Palmdale. He is approximately 6'6" tall, weighs about 250 pounds, and has gray hair and brown eyes.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Fernando's family with funeral expenses. The boy is remembered as a bright, loving child who enjoyed spending time outdoors and playing with his siblings. His family and community are reportedly struggling with the sudden loss.