Mejia Ayala

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The 8-month-old infant who was strangled by a family member in Virginia died shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat confirmed.

At around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, officers were called to the unit block of Hancock Place NE for a report of a child not breathing.

The infant was taken to an area hospital and listed in critical condition after investigators said the child was the victim of an assault.

She died shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 23, officials said.

"It is with profound sadness that I must announce the infant victim in this case has died," Pirnat said during a conference. "The death of a child is an unbearable loss and this one has deeply affected the involved family, our community, and every first responder that was called in to assist." 

Following a brief manhunt on the day of the now-fatal assault, police apprehended Alvaro Mejia Ayala, now 22, who was initially charged with strangulation in Leesburg.

Now, Pirnat said, he will be facing murder and other charges as they continue to investigate the infant's death.

Mejia Ayala also faces deportation after ICE placed a detainer on him.

According to police, Mejia Ayala fled the area before officers arrived, but he was located in the 100 block of Meadows Lane NE with assistance from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Pirnat cautioned that the investigation into the infant's death could take several months, and should be considered "very active." 

"Let me be clear. This was not an accident," she said. "A child was murdered in a deliberate act."

"The Leesburg Police Department and our criminal justice partners are fully committed to making sure (Mejia Ayala) is held accountable and we will continue to pursue every appropriate charge."