Palm Desert Teen Mom, Boyfriend Arrested in Death of 8-Week-Old Baby

A Palm Desert teenage mother was behind bars Thursday, suspected in the death of her 8-week-old baby girl, according to police.

19-year-old Sarah Connor was arrested Wednesday night along with her boyfriend, 22-year-old Joseph Champion, on charges of murder, according to online jail reports.

Riverside County Sheriff's Sergeant Jeff Buompensiero says the baby was found not breathing on May 24 when Palm Desert police were called to a home in the 73000 block of Pinyon Street, near Portola and Highway 111.

"The baby was transported to Eisenhower Medical Center for treatment," he said.  "Once the baby was stable she was flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center for further treatment."

However, when the baby got to Loma Linda, doctors discovered "several traumatic injuries to her body," according to Buompensiero.  Homicide investigators began their investigation at that time.

The baby died of her injuries Wednesday night, five days after she had initially been found unresponsive.   At that time, her mother and her mother's boyfriend were both arrested, according to the sergeant. 

"Based upon the investigation, the baby's mother,Sarah Connor, age 19 of Palm Desert, and her boyfriend, Joseph Champion, age 22 of Palm Desert, were arrested for homicide," he said.

Both were booked at the Indio Jail. Connor's bail was $1 million. Champion, determined to be in violation of state parole, was held without bail.

Anyone with information in this case was asked to contact the investigator handling it at 760-393-3500.