A mother in California is facing charges in the death of her son. Destiny Harrison was arrested and charged with murder after the body of her young son was found stuffed into a cooler. Investigators learned the boy had been subjected to abuse and possibly torture for months before he finally died. What makes it worse is that his dad and paternal grandmother were also allegedly part of the abuse — they were also arrested in connection with his death. Details are still being determined, and a cause of death hasn’t been discovered.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was called to a home in Lynwood for a welfare check on October 28, 2025, NBC News Los Angeles reported. Once there, deputies reportedly found the body of a young boy in the freezer. As a result, his mother, 25-year-old Destiny Harrison, along with his father and paternal grandmother, was detained by officers.
At the time, officials believed the boy was 7 years old. His name was withheld initially, as the investigation had just begun. Three other children in the home, ages 16, 13, and 9 months, were put into protective custody.
“This is an unimaginable and horrific tragedy,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn shared in a statement obtained by the outlet. “I stand ready to support the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as they investigate this child’s death. My heart breaks for what the other children in this home must have experienced.”
On October 31, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced via a news release that the adults had officially been charged.
Destiny Harrison, 25-year-old Daniel Alberto Monzon, and 45-year-old Ana Carcamo Zarceno were charged with “one felony count each of murder, torture, and child abuse resulting in death with allegations that they caused willful harm resulting in death,” the release noted. Monzon and Zarceno also were charged with being accessories after the fact. Bail for all three has been set at $2 million. If convicted, they each face 32 years to life in prison.
The boy, who was “believed to be” 8 years old at the time of his death, was identified as Isaiah H.
“According to the criminal complaint, the victim was allegedly abused by his mother, father, and paternal grandmother over a long period of time. The boy succumbed to his injuries early on Oct. 24 and his body was found days later in a cooler filled with ice,” the release read.
“The horrific abuse that Isaiah endured is made even worse by the fact that, as alleged, it was at the hands of the people who were meant to love and protect him,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed in the release. “Our office is committed to ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable for their actions and that justice will be secured for Isaiah.”
The three were expected to be arraigned on October 31, but only Destiny Harrison appeared in court, NBC News Los Angeles reported. Monzon refused, and Zarceno said she was sick. Although Harrison stood before the judge, her defense attorney held manila file folders in front of her face, blocking it from the view of the media.
According to the outlet, identifying the boy proved to be difficult. Authorities couldn’t find any records of him ever attending school. It was also reported that one of the other children in the home saw the abuse.
“That’s traumatizing to know that kid had to suffer like that,” a neighbor identified as Mia told KTLA. “A lot of people are trying to figure out what family did this… how did we not know? How did other people not know? There are thousands of people living around here, and none of us heard a thing or even saw anything on any of the kids.”
The investigation is ongoing.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
