The Panorama City neighborhood of Los Angeles was rocked by tragedy when 5-year-old Elyjiah Hearn was found dead in a dumpster on the morning of July 12, 2025.
The heartbreaking discovery came just hours after disturbing CCTV footage surfaced showing a man carrying what appeared to be the boy wrapped in a blanket.
Disturbing CCTV Footage Raises Alarm
The video, captured the night before Elyjiah’s death, shows a man walking along Titus Street, carrying a blanket with legs and feet dangling underneath.
He was accompanied by a woman in the footage, which police later identified as Elyjiah’s mother, Kemia Hearn, according to the affidavit.
The blanket seen in the video closely resembled the multi-colored blanket in which Elyjiah was found the next morning.
Arrest of Brycson Malik Gaddis
Authorities quickly focused on Brycson Malik Gaddis, 20, the ex-boyfriend of Elyjiah’s mother.
He was arrested on July 16 and charged with murder.
Police noted evidence of blood inside the apartment during an initial search, including on the bathroom sink, drain, backsplash, and inside a tote bag found on the bed.
Autopsy Reveals Shocking Injuries
The autopsy painted a grim picture of the young boy’s final hours.
Elyjiah suffered a fractured jaw, broken ribs, and a lacerated liver — injuries consistent with a severe beating.
Despite her heartbreak, Kemia Hearn, 24, was questioned by police but released without charge.
Gaddis’ Criminal History Comes to Light
Court records reveal that Gaddis has a long history of violent behavior.
In the past year alone, he faced carjacking, assault, and domestic violence charges.
Earlier cases, including a carjacking and assault from the previous July, were dropped in December.
In February, he was charged with domestic violence and false imprisonment for allegedly attacking a previous girlfriend and locking her in their apartment.
Failures in Monitoring
Gaddis had been under house arrest with an ankle monitor, but authorities found that its battery had died and he failed to recharge it, leaving him free to commit the fatal crime.
Hearn’s family also reported prior abuse from Gaddis, and police had responded to multiple domestic violence calls.
Court Proceedings
Gaddis pleaded not guilty during a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys and remains behind bars after failing to post a $2 million bond.
His history of skipping court dates and prior violent offenses has intensified public concern over the safety and monitoring of high-risk individuals.
