A father and a female companion have been arrested in connection with the death of the man’s 4-year-old son in Palmdale, sheriff’s officials confirmed.
The victim’s father, Andrew Havrella, 36, and his companion, Lacie Fetters, 25, were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child assault resulting in death and child abuse, according to the sheriff’s department.
According to jail records, Havrella was released on $100,000 bail on Wednesday, but Fetters remained jailed in lieu of $1.1 million.
Details of the boy’s death were not released. Sheriff’s officials said only that the boy died Dec. 3, 2024.
According to the county Medical Examiner, 4-year-old Ryker Havrella died at a hospital, but a cause of death was not specified, with the decision listed as “deferred” pending further tests.
Andrew Harvella launched a GoFundMe page days after the boy’s death, writing, “We lost Ryker in a tragic accident on December 3, 2024. We are absolutely devastated by Ryker’s passing and are struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of the services and end-of-life costs.”
The page had raised more than $6,100 as of Thursday.
Anyone with any information regarding the boy’s death was urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.