Missing Baby Found Dead In River; Father 'Threw Her Off The Bridge,' Says Mother

A 1-year-old baby who was reported missing in California was found dead in the Los Angeles River in Long Beach.

The child's 22-year-old father, Jayveyon Burley, was arrested after the remains of baby Leilani Dream Burley were located, officials said Tuesday.

Jayveyon's mother reported Leilani missing Sunday night after the accused father went to pick up his two children from their mother in Long Beach but only returned to his Inglewood home with one of them, ABC7 reported.

The police began searching for Leilani after the child's grandmother said she was concerned about the toddler.

The search for the baby led to the discovery of Leilani's dead body in the river below the Ocean Boulevard Bridge.

"My daughter was murdered by her father," Lynisha Hull told the outlet. "He threw her off the bridge."

Hull and Jayveyon had two children together, Leilani and 3-year-old Zayveyon Burley.

Jayveyon usually picks their two children up Sunday nights and takes care of them till Wednesdays before dropping them back, Hull explained.

Hull described Jayveyon as an often over-protective father who has never hurt their children in the past. Although he seemed angry when he picked up the kids Sunday, Hull said she never imagined it would be the last time she would see Leilani alive.

"He came to my home to pick up my kids," she told the outlet. "He was angry at the time but normal though. He was normal. He didn't look like he was panicked at the time at all."

The grieving mother recalled the moment cops told her about finding her daughter's remains in the river.

"They came to my house, they said, 'bad news, we found your daughter in the river.' In the river!" she told NBCLA. "He threw her off the bridge in Long Beach."

Hull said she was told by officials that Jayveyon "dropped" her baby into the river.

"They told me they found my baby in the river, that her father dropped her over the bridge in Long Beach," she told the outlet. "All I can imagine right now: was she screaming? Was she afraid? Was she saying 'dada?' Did he do something with his bare hands before he dropped her in the river?"

The father was arrested on suspicion of murder and child endangerment. He was booked into the Inglewood Police Department Jail on Monday and is being held on a $215,000 bond.