Fugitive suspected of killing his 2-year-old son apprehended in Merced County
A fugitive suspected of killing his 2-year-old son and attempting to strangle his girlfriend in San Juan Bautista has been apprehended in Merced County, according to the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.
A manhunt for Adrian Lujan, 33, ended when officers and deputies in Merced County “located him, pursued him, and arrested him after a physical encounter,” according to a San Benito County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Lujan was tracked into Merced County by the use of Flock cameras, the new release said.
Lujan was returned to San Benito County where detectives obtained a confession from him in the murder of his child, the news release said.
The incident began just after midnight on Sunday, when deputies from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a “baby not breathing” call at 107 The Alameda in San Juan Bautista.
Lujan’s girlfriend, 34, reported that Lujan had woken her up attempting to strangle her, the news release said. After she fought him off, Lujan fled in a vehicle.
The woman found her 2-year-old son lying on the couch, appearing unconscious and blue in color. Life-saving measures were attempted on the boy, who was transported to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, where he was later pronounced dead.
Evidence suggests the boy had been strangled to death, the news release said.
A 4-year-old child was also at the residence, but was unharmed.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 10:39 AM.
