Police found the suspect and her unharmed 1-year-old son at a nearby park after issuing a citywide alert.
MERCED, CA — A 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder after police found her mother fatally wounded inside a Merced apartment during a welfare check, authorities said.
Merced police identified the suspect as Selena Bass-Vasquez, who investigators said lived with her mother and her 1-year-old son at the Brookdale North apartment complex. Officers arrested Bass-Vasquez at Rahilly Park after a member of the public recognized a vehicle described in a police alert. Her son was found unharmed and placed in the care of Child Protective Services, police said.
Officers went to an apartment in the 300 block of Brookdale Drive at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to conduct a welfare check, according to the Merced Police Department. When no one answered the door, officers forced their way inside. They found an adult woman dead in a bedroom with injuries consistent with multiple stab wounds, police said.
Detectives opened a homicide investigation and identified the victim’s daughter as the primary suspect. Authorities issued a citywide alert describing Bass-Vasquez, the victim’s vehicle and the child believed to be traveling with her. Police initially warned that the suspect could be armed and dangerous.
A resident later spotted the dark silver Toyota C-HR at Rahilly Park and contacted police, Merced police Sgt. Justin Saldivar told ABC30. Officers from the Merced Police Department and California Highway Patrol responded to the park and took Bass-Vasquez into custody without further incident.
Police said Bass-Vasquez had left the apartment with her son in the victim’s vehicle. Investigators have not released details explaining when the killing occurred, what led officers to conduct the welfare check or what evidence led detectives to identify Bass-Vasquez as the suspect.
Bass-Vasquez was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of murder, police said. An arrest and booking do not establish guilt, and authorities have not announced whether prosecutors have filed a formal criminal charge.
The victim’s name had not been released as of Monday. Police said they were withholding her identity to protect the family’s privacy. Authorities also have not disclosed a possible motive or described the events investigators believe occurred before the woman’s death.
Ronnie Martin, who told ABC30 he had known the victim for more than 30 years, described her as a good person with a good spirit. Martin said he had spoken with her the night before she was found dead and was struggling to understand what happened.
The investigation remains active. Police have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Merced Police Department.
Author note: Last updated July 13, 2026.