SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT  News Release
		Release #8-2 Wednesday, August 2,  2000 For Immediate Release
						Media Office 916-264-5124  Lt.  Steve Campas                 Staff:  La Vetta Coleman  Internet: www.sacpd.org

Sacramento Police Homicide Detectives are Investigating a Homicide of a 11 month old baby girl.  At approximately 2:50  p.m., July 29, 2000 the victim, KYA THORNTON, was taken to the Sutter Coast Hospital, Crescent City, in Del Norte County, California.  Kya was having difficulty breathing, and was flown by life-flight to U.C.D.M.C. in Sacramento.  Based on the circumstances of the injuries, the Crescent City Police Department contacted the Sacramento Police Department on 07/30/2000 and asked for assistance in investigating the injuries to Kya Thornton.  Kya, her mother and step-father were all in Sacramento.

Investigator’s have determined the victim was being cared for at the time of her injuries by her step-father, RICHARD SHINE.  The victim, Kya Thornton, died on 07/31/2000 at approximately 8:10 P.M. at the U.C.D.M.C. in Sacramento, as a result of her injuries.  On 08/01/2000 the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Kya Thornton.  The preliminary cause of death was determined to be severe abusive head injury.

On 08/01/2000 at approximately 7:45 p.m. RICHARD SHINE, MALE, WHITE, 27 YEARS, DOB:01/28/73, was taken into custody and booked into the county jail for 187 P.C. - murder not specified, and 273ab P.C. - violent assault on child under 8 by care-giver.

Additional information is available from the Crescent City Police Department.

The Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will be working out the details on jurisdiction and prosecution.

SGT. LANCE MCHENRY
HOMICIDE
(916) 264-5694

Suspect, Richard Shine