Suspect Arrested in Homicide of 5-Year-Old Child Found in Dumpster NR25148jl

July 16, 2025    NR25148jl

UPDATE

The victim has been identified as 5-year-old, Elyjiah Hearn.

Los Angeles – Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division announce the arrest of the suspect responsible for the homicide of a child.

On July 12, 2025, around 7:45 a.m., Mission Division officers responded to a radio call for the discovery of a deceased child in a dumpster behind the 8200 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers located the body of a male child, approximately 5 to 7 years old, and requested the assistance of detectives from LAPD’s Juvenile Division.

Detectives received cooperation from community members, local businesses, and online tipsters. Investigators identified persons of interest and executed multiple search warrants at locations on the 14000 block of Lanark Street in Panorama City. Additional department resources supported the investigation by locating and interviewing witnesses and persons of interest at Mission Community Police Station. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage, obtained corroborating witness statements, and collected physical evidence.

Through their investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 20-year-old Brycson Gaddis.

Brycson Gaddis was taken into custody without incident and booked for 187 PC – Murder (Booking Number 7053217). Gaddis is a resident of Los Angeles and is not the biological father of the victim.

The victim was identified as a 5-year-old child.

This case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the LAPD’s Abused Child Unit, Juvenile Division, at 213-486-0530. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.