IRVINE, CA (October 15, 2012):  Irvine Police Detectives arrested Jason Richard Buchea (1/10/79) of Costa Mesa following an investigation into his 11 month old baby girl being left in car seat in the Irvine Valley College Parking Lot.

Shortly after 1:00 PM, Irvine Officers were sent to Irvine Valley College to assist the Campus Police with a found 11 month old baby girl.  The baby, strapped in its car seat, was found by passers-by in the campus parking lot.  The baby was not in a vehicle and there was no adult nearby claiming to be responsible for the baby.  Although the baby appeared to be in good health, as a precaution the Orange County Fire Authority responded and the baby was ultimately taken to Hoag Hospital in Irvine for further evaluation.  After being released from the hospital, the baby was taken into protective custody by the Orange County Child Protective Services.

Irvine Police Department Detectives responded to the college and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the baby being left in the parking lot.  During this investigation the Detectives learned that the father, Jason Buchea, had called the Costa Mesa Police Department to report his daughter missing.  The Irvine Detectives responded to Costa Mesa where both the mother and Buchea were interviewed.  Following this interview, Buchea, was arrested on suspicion of violation of Penal Code 273a(a) Child Endangerment, a felony.  Buchea was ultimately booked into Orange County Jail on these charges.  The mother was not arrested.

UPDATE:  Buchea is a short-term temporary employee at Irvine Valley College and the mother is enrolled as a student.

 

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