Arvin, CA - Sheriff's detectives are now calling the death of an Arvin teenager a murder, not an accident.
The coroner determined in January 18-year-old Alejandro Pantoja died from an accidental drowning in an Arvin canal. Now, detectives say it was no accident. They are recommending murder and burglary charges against the man he was with that day.
Pantoja's girlfriend Mayra Savalza says she thought the case was closed.
Savalza said, "We just thought that they weren't doing nothing about it no more."
Sheriff's deputies are recommending 27-year-old Francisco Vidal be charged with murder and burglary.
Sheriff's spokesman Ray Pruitt said, "We believe that Vidal was driving the vehicle when it went into the canal. We believe that he and the decedent, Mr. Pantoja, Had committed burglary just prior to the vehicle going into the canal and after the vehicle going into the canal, Mr. Vidal fled the scene."
Sheriff's detectives say they found stolen property in the car and a loaded gun.
Pantoja's family says they last saw him on January 23rd, leaving with Vidal.
Savalza said, "My thought is just why now. Why didn't they charge him with it before. Why did they want to charge him now? Did they find something?"
The district attorney's office is expected to review reports today, and then determine if charges should be filed.
Savalza says she doesn't think Vidal is in the country anymore.
Savalza said, "They told us that they deported him to Mexico because he doesn't have papers."
Pruitt said, "He had been arrested on other charges. I don't know if he's still in custody or not. He has not been arrested in relation to this case."
Vidal is not listed as in custody on the sheriff's department inmate website.
Family members say they believe there was also a third person in the car. No word from the sheriff's office if they are recommending charges against anyone else.
The coroner determined in January 18-year-old Alejandro Pantoja died from an accidental drowning in an Arvin canal. Now, detectives say it was no accident. They are recommending murder and burglary charges against the man he was with that day.
Pantoja's girlfriend Mayra Savalza says she thought the case was closed.
Savalza said, "We just thought that they weren't doing nothing about it no more."
Sheriff's deputies are recommending 27-year-old Francisco Vidal be charged with murder and burglary.
Sheriff's spokesman Ray Pruitt said, "We believe that Vidal was driving the vehicle when it went into the canal. We believe that he and the decedent, Mr. Pantoja, Had committed burglary just prior to the vehicle going into the canal and after the vehicle going into the canal, Mr. Vidal fled the scene."
Sheriff's detectives say they found stolen property in the car and a loaded gun.
Pantoja's family says they last saw him on January 23rd, leaving with Vidal.
Savalza said, "My thought is just why now. Why didn't they charge him with it before. Why did they want to charge him now? Did they find something?"
The district attorney's office is expected to review reports today, and then determine if charges should be filed.
Savalza says she doesn't think Vidal is in the country anymore.
Savalza said, "They told us that they deported him to Mexico because he doesn't have papers."
Pruitt said, "He had been arrested on other charges. I don't know if he's still in custody or not. He has not been arrested in relation to this case."
Vidal is not listed as in custody on the sheriff's department inmate website.
Family members say they believe there was also a third person in the car. No word from the sheriff's office if they are recommending charges against anyone else.