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Conviction July 15, 2002 Homicide

Erin Runnion

Status Conviction
Type Homicide
Date July 15, 2002
Location Stanton, California
Victim Age 5
Gender Female

Five-year-old Samantha Runnion was abducted from outside her Orange County apartment complex and murdered. Her mother Erin Runnion became a prominent child safety advocate, founding the Joyful Child Foundation. Alejandro Avila was convicted and sentenced to death in 2005.

child homicide California conviction Joyful Child Foundation