Man charged with murder after 5-year-old boy found in panorama city dumpster — Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights

PANORAMA CITY, Calif. — A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and assault on a child causing death in connection with the killing of his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son, whose body was discovered in a dumpster last week, prosecutors announced Friday.

Brycson Malik Gaddis is accused of fatally beating the child on July 11 at an apartment in the 14500 block of Lanark Street. The boy’s body was found the following day in a commercial parking lot dumpster in Panorama City, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“This is truly a heartbreaking and horrific case,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “We are committed to seeking justice and will ensure this defendant is held responsible for his actions.”

Gaddis faces one felony count each of murder and assault on a child causing death. His arraignment was continued to August 18 at the Van Nuys Branch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Bail has been set at $2 million.

The case is being prosecuted by the Family Violence Division’s Complex Child Abuse Section and remains under investigation by the LAPD’s Juvenile Division.

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