Body of Young Child Discovered in Dumpster Sparks Ongoing Investigation in Panorama City

A heartbreaking discovery was made early Saturday morning, July 13, 2025, when the body of a young boy believed to be around 3 to 4 years old was found inside a dumpster in Panorama City, located in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department were dispatched around 7:00 a.m. to the 8200 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, just south of Roscoe Boulevard, following a report of a body found in an empty parking lot. Upon arrival, they located the child’s lifeless body near a dumpster, prompting an immediate response from detectives and forensic teams.

The area, typically secured by gates, left neighbors questioning how such a tragic event could have occurred. “They found the 3-4-year-old by the dumpster,” said one concerned resident. “What I’m trying to figure out is, they lock those gates, so who’s going to get in there?”

The investigation has been taken over by the LAPD’s Child Abuse Unit, with officials working to determine the circumstances leading to the child’s death. While the identity of the boy has not yet been released, detectives are considering multiple possibilities, including natural causes or potential abuse.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have information regarding the child or suspicious activity in the area to come forward. The incident has sparked deep concern among residents, who are shaken by the presence of such violence or neglect in their community.

As of now, the cause of death remains undetermined, and no arrests or persons of interest have been announced. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is expected to conduct an autopsy to provide further clarity.