18-Year-Old Arrested After Teen Girlfriend Dies From Head Injuries in Garden Grove

Overview

• Garden Grove officers responded to the 8800 block of Hewitt Place for reports of a head injury and found a female bleeding profusely from the head.
• The victim was identified as 17-year-old Janely Gutierrez and she died in hospital the day after being taken there in grave condition.
• Detectives interviewed Gutierrez’s live-in boyfriend, 18-year-old Ethan Vidal, who acknowledged an altercation and was taken into custody at the scene on an attempted-homicide charge.
• Police said they will release no further information now to protect the integrity of the investigation and to assist the victim’s family.
• Next steps for the case likely include forensic examinations, a coroner’s report, possible changes to charges, and a public update once detectives complete initial work and notifications.