Update: Murder warrant issued in death of Vineland infant

Staff Writer


VINELAND — Police made a grisly discovery in the basement of a Center City home: the body of an infant who apparently was beaten to death.

A homicide investigation is ongoing, and a search is under way at this hour for the man whom police believe may have killed the baby girl Tuesday afternoon, authorities say. An arrest warrant has been issued.

The 3-month-old child, Kimberly Rivas, was reported missing last night when her mother came home from work, Police Chief Timothy Codispoti says. Police did not immediately release the mother’s name.

Police went to the woman’s apartment at 16 S. Fourth Street and found signs of foul play, the chief says.

They found the dead child in the basement about 11 p.m.

An autopsy is being performed, and Codispoti says officers believe it will show the child was beaten to death.
“Right now we’re looking for the boyfriend of the victim’s mother, who has fled,” Codispoti said.

The chief identified the suspect as Randy Lopez-Rivas, 18, who immigrated to the United States illegally from Guatemala. He is Rivas’ boyfriend but is not the baby’s father, Codispoti says.Lopez-Rivas is described as 5 feet 8 inches and 165 pounds. He has a thin build and curly hair.

An arrest warrant issued this morning charges Lopez-Rivas with murder.

Authorities say he has been arrested twice before, including on a burglary charge. Police have his photo and fingerprints on file.

Codispoti says investigators believe Lopez-Rivas has fled the area.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to catch this guy,” the chief said.

Codispoti says police don’t yet know the motive for the slaying. He said he expects the autopsy, which was under way this morning, will show the baby was beaten to death Tuesday afternoon.




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Jerk Um, no, I don't know that the state/county will prosecute this piece of trash. He's an illegal, and if Bush hears about it, chances are he'd give him the key to the city and throw the victim's family in jail. (And yes, basically the same thing is happening with border patrol agents vs. illegals and the side Bush supports.)

Chances are this guy will be deported, where he'll just come back after five minutes, or put in jail for a little time and released. In other words, basically nothing will happen to him.

We need a fund to remove all the idiots, liberals, and assorted bleeding hearts from the "justice system" and replace them with people who actually enforce the law and punish criminals.

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:35 am

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cinquecaps Hey Jerk, You know the county/State will prosecute this person, and I think you are teasing us a little. Perhaps if the police had no suspects, we could have started a reward fund for information leading to arrest and prosecution.

Perhaps someday we will learn if this baby killer had harmed an animal in the past. Think of the reward for Justice as a way of getting, at the worst, a dog killer, off the streets before they could become baby killers.

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:07 am

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anonymousone "who immigrated to the United States illegally from Guatemala."

<bleeding heart liberal>Well in that case, he should get a free pass! No harm no foul...<\bleeding heart liberal>

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:05 am

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Anabelle There should be a fund to send these people back to Guatemala and Mexico when they are arrested for burglary in the first place.

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:56 am

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Jerk What? There's no fund started to collect money to help prosecute a baby killer like there is for the dog?

Go figure.

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:53 am

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Originally published April 25, 2007



Zoom Photo


Vineland police


Murder suspect Randy Lopez-Rivas.


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