California City, CA – On the evening of Wednesday, June 18, 2026, a dog attack at Central Park resulted in the death of Fernando Torres Moreno, 12, and left an 8-year-old girl injured, and led to the arrest of Kenneth Dobbins, 68, according to KGET.
The California City Police Department reports that the incident took place around 6:00 PM at Central Park, located at 10350 Heather Avenue.
Authorities said Moreno jumped into a pond at Central Park while fleeing from a dog that was attacking him and did not resurface. Officers arrived and located him unresponsive in the water.
CPR was attempted at the scene, and Kern County Fire Department paramedics performed life-saving measures before he was transported to Tehachapi Hospital and later transferred to a children’s hospital, where he died on June 19. The Kern County Coroner’s Office formally identified him following his death.
A second child, an 8-year-old girl found near Moreno, also sustained injuries in the attack.
Investigators identified Dobbins as the owner of the dogs involved in the attack through eyewitness accounts and information from the victims. Following a tip received just before 1:00 PM on June 25 regarding a sighting in Lancaster, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assisted in arresting Dobbins before transferring him to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility, where he remained in custody. Dobbins faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and is due in Mojave court on Monday.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the California City Police Department.
Compensation for Dog Attack Victims
Dog owners whose pets harm others can be held financially liable for injuries caused by their animals. A personal injury claim — or even a wrongful death claim — made against the at-fault dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance can provide compensation for damages experienced by their loved ones, whether or not the dog owner is subjected to criminal charges.
California Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California dog bite lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
