Mother of five stabbed to death by boyfriend in East LA home

Mother of five stabbed to death in front of children in East LA home

Milagros Angelica Medina was stabbed to death in her East LA home in front of her five children and a family friend, according to sheriff's deputies. Authorities say her boyfriend stabbed her when she told him he wanted to break up.

LOS ANGELES - Detectives are searching for a man who stabbed a woman to death inside a home in East LA.

Deputies responded to the 100 block of South Townsend Avenue just before 8 p.m. Sept. 30 after receiving a call of an assault with a deadly weapon.

When deputies arrived at scene, they located a woman suffering from stab wounds; she was transported to the hospital where she later died.

According to the LA County Sheriff's Department, the woman's boyfriend stabbed her multiple times before fleeing the scene.

The family has identified the victim as Milagros Angelica Medina, 45.

According to family, Medina was stabbed by her live-in-boyfriend, who the Sheriff's Department is not officially identifying at this time. Medina was stabbed repeatedly in front of her five children ages 3, 11, 13, 15 and 18, along with the 18-year-old's close friend. The friend spoke to FOX 11 about what she witnessed, and FOX 11 is shielding her identity for safety.

"It was really gruesome," she said. "Her five children saw it, [along with] her three-year-old son. There was a lot of blood splattered everywhere. The blood went onto him [the 3-year-old], and that's what really broke me."

She said one of the children tried to help her mom as she was being stabbed.

"Her (Medina's) 11-year-old daughter tried to defend the mom. I thought it was really brave, but they (the children) shouldn't be going through this," she said.

Family said the stabbing was the result of Medina telling her boyfriend she wanted to break up.

"She just didn't want to be with him anymore because she didn't feel safe," the friend said "She hadn't slept for three days straight, and she always told her kids to keep an eye on him to see if he would do anything to he."

The friend said all the children are fearful of the boyfriend's possible return.

"We do not feel safe at all," said the friend.

Lulu, a family friend, said there were calls to police prior to this incident, but nothing was done.

"It's a shame the system is supposed to help us and unless they see blood, then they're not there. It's unfortunate that the police have to respond to a violent act for them to help when they've [family] called previously for the same type of violence and aggression at home. They [police] should be more readily available to help and offer resources to the community, to women that are reaching out and calling for help and unfortunately a friend passed away due to the act of violence at home by a so-called loved one," said Lulu.

Lulu said she has concerns for the children's safety now too. She described her conversation with a social worker as troubling.

"It's unfortunate that now we have orphans, and they're being displaced out of their home because this man took their mom, and it's not fair. I didn't like the remark of the social worker when I disclosed some personal information about the children. I asked about the children's safety and if he was aware of certain information and if he was informed, and I said, 'Who's to say that man will not carry out the threats of where the children are going to," and he answered, "Well it could happen anywhere," and that is not acceptable for a social worker who should place them in a safe home," said Lulu.

Lulu said the focus is to make sure the kids are safe and will be able to get the help they need.

"The kids are the number one priority we have right now," she said. "I just hope with this act of violence that they give them the help, the psychological help."

Medina was described as a loving mother who provided for and cared for her children.

Family and friends have created a GoFundMe page to help bury Medina next to the children's father who passed away from a medical condition.

Anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. You can remain anonymous by calling "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.