DATE/TIME: May 22, 2022 / 10:30 a.m.
INCIDENT: PC 273a(a) Child Abuse / PC 206 Torture
LOCATION: 55500 block of Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley
SUSPECT(S): Mark Lehman, 25-year-old resident of Yucca Valley
Trinity Burright, 22-year-old resident of Yucca Valley
VICTIM(S): Confidential
SUMMARY: On Sunday, May 22, 2022, at about 10:30 a.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff's station were dispatched to check the welfare of two young children, in the 55500 block of Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. The caller was concerned for the well-being of two young children at the location, who had physical injuries consistent with child abuse.
During the investigation, evidence was discovered that Mark Lehman and Trinity Burright physically abused a 3-year-old boy and 5-year-old boy, in their care. Lehman and Burright moved from their residence, to avoid law enforcement contact but spoke with investigators by phone. Lehman and Burright were not cooperative with deputies and refused to provide any information as to the children's location.
Detectives from the Morongo Basin station were assigned to help with the extensive investigation and to help locate the children. Warrants were issued for Lehman and Burright's arrest and an extensive search for them was conducted. On Monday, May 23, 2022, at around 3:00 a.m., deputies located Lehman and Burright at a residence in Yucca Valley. Deputies and detectives served a search warrant and took them into custody. The children were taken into Children and Family Services custody and found to have extensive injuries consistent with ongoing physical abuse.
Lehman and Burright were booked at West Valley Detention Center for child abuse and torture and are being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
Refer: Deputy Shane Crowl / Detective Shaunna Ables
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 232201026
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
