A 27-year-old man is facing murder charges in El Paso following the tragic discovery of Talia Sanchez’s body in her Fort Worth apartment and the safe recovery of the couple’s infant son in New Mexico.
Elijah Perez was apprehended in El Paso after authorities found Sanchez deceased in her apartment near the 7300 block of Harris Parkway. The couple’s 7-month-old son, who had been missing for several days, was returned to his maternal grandmother’s home in New Mexico after being dropped off by Perez’s father.
Perez is currently being held on a $500,000 bond while Sanchez’s family seeks legal custody of the infant and raises funds to cover funeral expenses.
The situation reportedly escalated after an argument between Sanchez, 26, and Perez, leading to concerns from Sanchez’s family when they lost contact with her. They used her phone’s location to find it hidden in a parking garage at her workplace.
On February 11, 2026, at approximately 11:53 a.m., Fort Worth police conducted a welfare check but were initially unable to enter the apartment. After securing a warrant, they discovered Sanchez’s lifeless body inside.
Prior to the baby’s return, Sanchez’s family had been anxious for days, as baby Levi was missing. They were later informed by Perez’s father that the baby had been dropped off at their home in New Mexico.
Officer Cynthia Woods stated, “This is believed to be a domestic-related incident. Homicide detectives gathered information that was shared with other law enforcement agencies, leading to the suspect’s capture.”
Talia Sanchez’s family has described her as a vibrant individual who would never have abandoned her child. Her sister, Teresa Lovitt, noted the alarming lack of communication from Sanchez and the suspicious call from Perez regarding her well-being.
Baby Levi was briefly placed under the care of Child Protective Services in New Mexico but is now safely back with his grandmother. Lovitt expressed the family’s commitment to gently informing Levi about his mother’s situation, emphasizing that Sanchez would have always chosen him if given the chance.
As the family prepares for Sanchez’s funeral, they are also seeking legal assistance to ensure Levi’s guardianship is secured. Elijah Perez remains in custody at the El Paso County Jail facing murder charges.
