CALIFORNIA CITY — Fernando Torres Moreno, 12, died on June 19 after jumping into Central Park Lake in Kern County on June 18 while reportedly fleeing from dogs. Police were dispatched to a drowning call at approximately 6:07 p.m. on June 18.

Officers arrived within two minutes of the 911 call and found Moreno at the bottom of the lake. They began CPR at approximately 6:13 p.m., and Kern County fire officials provided care until an ambulance transported Moreno to Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley Hospital. He was later transferred to Children's Hospital in Bakersfield, where healthcare professionals continued life-saving efforts until 3 a.m. on June 19, the day he died.

Moreno's 8-year-old sister was also present at Central Park during the incident and suffered dog bites. These injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. She was transported to Antelope Valley Medical Center, treated for her injuries, and subsequently released.

Witness statements led police to Kenneth Dobbins, 68, whom they identified as the owner of three mixed-breed dogs involved in the incident. Dobbins told police he was in the park with his dogs at the time. He was not taken into custody on June 18 when police photographed him, his clothing, and his dogs.

Police later obtained an arrest warrant for Dobbins for charges including involuntary manslaughter and negligent owner of a mischievous animal causing serious bodily injury and/or death to another. When authorities attempted to serve the warrant, they found that Dobbins had fled his residence. Police described Dobbins as a transient and a previously convicted felon with loose ties to California City and Palmdale. He is described as 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 250 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.

One of Dobbins's three dogs involved in the incident was seized in Los Angeles County. Police are currently searching for Dobbins and his remaining two dogs. A GoFundMe page has been created to assist Moreno's family with funeral costs.

Marquette Hawkins, the Mayor of California City, issued a statement about the boy's death. "This is a tragic, tragic incident. The whole town is grieving. Now, a family doesn't have a son."