One woman died in a horrific crash at a highway interchange in the South Bay.

A grey Mini Cooper was traveling westbound on State Route 54 at 11:15 p.m. when the vehicle took the ramp heading onto southbound Interstate 805.

The vehicle was traveling along a closed shoulder when it collided head-on with a concrete guardrail.

The driver, identified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office as Elizabeth Sandoval, 25, of Spring Valley, died in the crash.

California Highway Patrol officers were investigating the cause of the crash including how the vehicle accessed the shoulder. The area was coned off and a sign was posted announcing the shoulder's closure.

Efforts to eradicate the mosquito known to carry the Zika virus were met with opposition Tuesday in San Diego.

San Diego County Department of Environmental Health will be spraying in the Mount Hope community Tuesday after a resident was confirmed to have contracted the virus while traveling abroad and the Aedes species of mosquitoes were detected in the neighborhood.

Several residents posted signs asking the county not to spray on their property. One person stood in the center of Market Street wearing a gas mask.

Thelmi Rivera is one of the residents who is concerned about the effects of the pesticides.

“They said it wasn't harmful to pets and safe for our children but I don't believe that,” Rivera said. "I mean if it's killing off millions of bees, why wouldn't it be harmful to pets and children.”

A 12-person team will spend the day hand-spraying Pyrenone 25-5 within a two-square-block radius bordered by Market, F, Quail and Raven streets, county officials said.

Rebecca LaFreniere, Deputy Director with Department of Environmental Health San Diego County, suggested residents stay indoors along with their children and their pets.

Hannah Ketterman and her husband are trying for to conceive before he deploys with the U.S. military. For them, the possibility of Zika transmission is a big issue.

“It worries me, being the mom of a young child and wanting to see our family grow,” Ketterman said.

Elias Ortiz lives in the neighborhood and said there was no advanced notice but he supports the county’s decision to spray.

“We just got a notice that they were going to do it, and had no say,” he said. “But if it’s for the public health were all good.”

The county says they will be walking on the ground in people's yards and spraying places that might have some standing water where mosquitoes might lay eggs.

Residents can refuse but the county said its crews will return with an abatement warrant which will allow them to spray the insecticide.

Three teenagers vandalized an elementary school in Chula Vista over the holiday weekend – one teen carrying a replica gun and knife – police confirmed. 

The commotion near Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School at 1650 Exploration Falls had the community abuzz on social media Sunday afternoon as some residents took to social media to warn others of heavy police activity in the area.

The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) later confirmed that a trio of teens had jumped a gate at Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School on Sunday at around 3:10 p.m. The suspects – all 15 years old – made their way into two classrooms, breaking items and drawing obscenities on the white board, police said.

A burglary alarm sounded off during the break-in, leading police to the school.

When officers got there, they found two of the teens inside a classroom. They ran away from police but were soon caught on the south curb line of Olympic Parkway, east of Exploration Falls Drive, the CVPD said. They again tried to flee from officers, but were detained.

The third suspected vandal escaped.

Upon searching a backpack carried by one of the teens, officers discovered an altered replica handgun and a pocket knife inside the suspect’s bag, as well as marijuana.

The CVPD said two of the three minors were arrested in the school break-in. The teen who fled has been identified and school resource officers are in the process of tracking down that suspect and making the arrest.

Police said two of the alleged vandals are students at Eastlake High School, while the third is a student at Olympian High School. The two teens arrested in this case were ultimately released to their parents.

The Eastlake community has recently experienced an uptick in crimes, including a series of car break-ins, that have kept police busy in the area.

San Diego Police are investigating the beating and stabbing of a man in Oak Park as a hate crime.

The man, described by police as 40 years old, was walking along College Grove Drive at 8:45 p.m. Monday when a dark-colored sedan drove by.

Officers say the man’s "Gay Pride" T-shirt caught the attention of the car's occupants.

They shouted out gay slurs before turning the car around and stopping near the victim, police said.

A group of several men punched and kicked the victim. At one point, the victim was cut on his left arm, police said.

The victim escaped his attackers and used his phone to call for help.

He was taken to Mercy Hospital for a non-life threatening stab wound, police said.

The location of the incident was west of State Route 94, less than a mile east of Chollas Park.

Anyone with information related to the above incident(s) is encouraged to call the listed Command handling the investigation or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

A man riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle crashed into a car while attempting to pass it, leaving him with major, life-threatening injuries, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers said. 

The crash happened at 12:55 p.m. when the 33-year-old man, who has not been identified, was riding his 2015 Harley Davidson westbound on Dye Road, approaching the intersection at Duraznitos Road. 

At the same time, a 28-year-old woman was behind the wheel of a 2011 Toyota Tacoma heading westbound on Dye Road directly in front of the motorcycle, officers said. An 18-year-old passenger was sitting in the passenger seat. 

As the driver of the Toyota began to slow to make a left turn, the motorcyclist attempted to pass the car on the left, crossing the solid double yellow lines, officers said. 

The Toyota began to make the turn and the motorcyclist hit the car, authorities say. 

The impact sent the motorcyclist flying, CHP officials said; he landed onto the dirt shoulder of the road. 

The motorcyclist suffered major, life-threatening injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Palomar Hospital. 

Both people inside the Toyota suffered minor injuries. They were taken via ambulance to Palomar Hospital. 

The crash is under investigation. It appears alcohol and drugs were not a factor, authorities said. 

No other information was immediately available.

A group of San Diego nurses had the experience of a lifetime Tuesday when they appeared on the season 14 premiere of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

They also got to meet Channing Tatum, the star of “Magic Mike”, who sent all six of them home with tickets to “Magic Mike Live” at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

It all started when the nurses, from Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, were surprised with tickets after getting a chance to Skype with DeGeneres live on her show. The nurses had been trying to get tickets to the show for years.

“We work with the best coworkers,” one nurse said. “Every day we get our assignments done and our patients settled so we can go into the break room and watch you at 3 p.m.”

The nurses estimated that they assist with about 10,000 births per year, which averages close to one birth an hour.

To watch the full clip from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, click here.

College campuses in National City and Vista are among more than 130 ITT Technical Institute locations that closed their doors Tuesday.

The closures come amid a U.S. Department of Education investigation and sanctions over recruiting and accounting practices.

“Therefore, after evaluating the impact of these new requirements on our institution, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue our operations effective immediately,” the school wrote in an email to students Tuesday morning.

“Just found out this morning, just like everyone else that I am no longer a student,” Nick Billings said. He’s one of many students who showed up at either the Vista or National City campus to talk to staff, pick up his transcript and just get more information about what’s happening—or not happening—at the school.

“Some people say its kind of a scammy school, you know they didn't really give you a good education. All the classes I took here I thought were quality. I learned a lot.”

Like many others, Billings was expecting to start the fall term on Monday, Sept. 12 and finish up his last term in his associate program.

Just last week the U.S. Department of Education banned the for-profit college from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid. Federal officials also ordered the school to pay $152 million to the government to cover student refunds and other liabilities.

“The name stands out, ITT Tech. You know, I never thought they would go out of business,” Gabrial Carucci said.

Carucci is a disabled navy veteran who recently dropped out of Southwestern College to study at ITT.

“They're more one on one, they have smaller classrooms, smaller and they would pay more attention to me. So that was appealing to me that I would be in a smaller classroom setting and hands on training.”

Carucci was pursuing a network administration program at ITT when she learned about the abrupt closure.

Another former student, Jon Arnesto was supposed to finish up his associates program this term.

“For now just wait, I have no options right now,” he said.

Now the school where he and so many others have put in hours of time and thousands of dollars, no longer offers that "education for the future"

The closures impact more than 8,000 employees and thousands more students at more than 130 campuses across 38 states.

“I at least thought I'd be able to finish my program,” Billings said. “I wasn't expecting it to just, you know the ground to be pulled out from under you that quickly.”

Free admission for veterans at SeaWorld San Diego has been extended through the end of the year.

Military veterans and up to three additional guests can enter SeaWorld for free with the Waves of Honor ticket which is only redeemable online.

Veterans can register with their guests in advance online and verify their proof of service, which will grant them an e-ticket they can take directly to SeaWorld’s entrance turnstiles.

SeaWorld has been offering discounted ticket programs to veterans for 12 years, and more than two million members of United States and allied armed forces and their families have enjoyed free admission into the park since 2003.

Saved the risk of a death sentence, LAX gunman Paul Ciancia Tuesday formally changed his plea to guilty to all 11 counts stemming from the 2013 attack.

The path to the plea agreement had been cleared when US Attorney General Loretta Lynch agreed with the US Attorney's office not to pursue the death penalty. Ciancia signed the agreement last week, but it did not take effect until he entered the plea in the courtroom.

It is expected multiple consecutive life sentences will be imposed when the 26 year old returns to court in two months. 

Ciancia admitted to killing TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez, and wounding two of Hernandez's colleagues and a traveler.  

Evidence the prosecution had intended to present at trial included a text message from Ciancia to a family member in which he described himself as a "pissed off patriot trying to water the tree of liberty."

Still not clear is the origin of Ciancia's rage, nor why he focused it on TSA personnel, nor why at LAX. Ciancia had grown up in New Jersey and had moved to Los Angeles barely a year before his rampage.

All three of the surviving victims were present in court.

Afterwards, TSA Agents Tony Grigsby and James Speer said they were satisfied with the plea agreement, but have no sympathy for Ciancia.

"He caused a lot of pain to a lot people," said Grigsby. "I will never get my friend back."

"More than anything, I empathize with the Gerardo Hernandez family," said Speer.

Ciancia's guilty plea means there will be no need for trial or testimony. But in the courthouse courtyard, Grigsby and Speer for the first time publicly shared details of the accounts to which they would have testified.

After the shots rang out, both Grigsby and Speer evacuated travelers away from the TSA screening station in Terminal 3.

"I refuse to be a victim," said Grigsby, who was wounded in the ankle. "During that ordeal I made decision to help people and run back to help people. And I stand by that decision."

Speer described getting travelers down the terminal, and staying behind to help one man.

"Just as I'm down the hallway, just as I thought we're safe, I actually saw Brian Ludmer to the right of me get shot — he didn't go out the gate — and before, a split second before I could say, 'Oh my God," a split second later I felt 'boom, boom' in the back and left upper arm. I was thrown forward from the blast," Speer recalled.

Ludmer, who was at the airport as a traveler, has also recovered from his injuries and was also present in court for Ciancia's plea.

Speer got into a Hudson's bookstore and prepared to confront the gunman, but the gunman did not come in.

Speer later made his way out of the terminal, and with the airport lockdown, had to wait nearly half an hour before he could get medical care.

Both Speer and Grigsby have recovered and returned to work, Speer in an administrative capacity, Grigsby back working a terminal. His mother and sister also work as TSA agents.

From the ordeal, Grigsby has taken a renewed vigilance for his job and protecting air travelers, he said.

New technology will help better track and monitor the health of elephant herds in accredited zoos in North America. 

The new software program, introduced by San Diego Zoo Global and the AWARE Institute, will help preserve the ark of Asian and African elephants by improving and guiding animal care best practices. 

More than 40 accredited zoos across North America are participating in the new program. 

"With the latest distressing news about the sharp decline in the elephant population in Africa, maintaining a breeding population of African elephants in North American zoos becomes even more important," said Bob Wiese, Ph.D., chief life sciences officer, San Diego Zoo Global, in a statement. “A key element of this assurance population will be maintaining elephant herds that are healthy and thriving throughout all accredited zoos."

A web-based system will help zoos plan and evaluate animal management practices, like feeding, exercise and enrichment. The system will provide feedback on program strengths, as well as opportunities for improvement.

Software tools and resources will help with the consistent implementation of best practices. 

The new software stemmed in part from a groundbreaking study which analyzed the daily lives of 255 elephants in nearly 70 North American zoos. Researchers found that certain practices and elephant management techniques particularly helped their physical and behavioral health. 

“The research demonstrated that robust feeding and enrichment practices are important to female reproductive health, particularly for African elephants,” said Martha Fischer, chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Elephant Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), in a statement. “The newly introduced software will help zoos strengthen these practices, which provides an excellent opportunity to enhance both the welfare of individuals and the sustainability of the population.”

The Elephant Welfare Initiative will use science and the power of a community working together to enhance the elephant's welfare, said Cheryl Meehan, Ph.D., director of AWARE Institute.

Del Mar City Council and residents did not reach a deal on Tuesday after the community gathered to express their frustration following an increase in recent citations of people walking across the railroad tracks.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) announced that there would be increased enforcement of surveillance and citations for anyone crossing the railroads tracks, especially between 4th and 11th streets in Del Mar. Over the past month, the NCTD has handed out 118 citations to people, compared to the 33 citations over the span of seven months.

“There is at least two to five deputy sheriffs there every single day, often in unmarked vehicles, often on four-wheel ATVs patrolling the cliffs to hand out tickets to surfers and seniors who are just doing what they've always done and that’s cross the tracks and go down to surf or walk on the bluffs. It’s ridiculous,” said resident Frank Stonebanks.

According to the NCTD, the enforcement is to bring awareness to the increase in accidents and fatalities that happen on the tracks.

"The Feds require us to mitigate any safety issues or hazards that occur on our railroad and trespassing and railroad strikes are the number one railroad related reason for fatalities," said Dahvia Lynch, with the NCTD.

But residents who have been cited with fines up to $500 call it unreasonable. They say that crossing the tracks in one of the few options to get down to the beach, bluff and coastal trails.

“It’s what we do here,” said resident Stephanie Tarkington. “You wake up and go surfing. And that’s where the surf is and you go across that track."

During Tuesday night’s council meeting, citizens gathered to deliver a petition with 500 names in an effort to end the citations.

“There’s absolutely no reason why together with the City of Del Mar and with the NCTD we can’t work out a solution that allows people to do what they've been doing for a 100 years and that’s safely go down to the beach and the bluffs,” Stonebanks said.

But the group did not reach a deal with the city council. They say they plan to address the NCTD Board of Directors next week.

Most of us were settling into the work week after Labor Day weekend, and apparently so were the Padres (even though they worked and won on Monday). After starting their three game series against the Boston Red Sox with a win, the Friars were hoping to make it two in a row at Petco Park Tuesday night. Sadly, that’s not how this game went down.

Don’t Call It a Comeback

Tuesday afternoon the Padres welcomed outfielder Jon Jay back from the 60 day disabled list. Before his return, Jay played in three rehab games for Single-A Lake Elsinore, where he went 3-for-10 with a double, a walk and three runs scored. He was originally placed on the 15-day disabled list in June after suffering a right forearm fracture. While it’s nice to have him back on the roster, it would be even nicer to have him in the lineup.

To the Diamond

Right handed pitcher Paul Clemens was on the mound for the Padres. He faced Red Sox righty Clay Buchholz. It was a scoreless game until the fourth inning when the Boston bats came to life. Jackie Bradley Jr. launched a two run homer to right field, followed by a Chris Young home run to left for good measure and a 3-0 lead for the Red Sox.

The home run challenge was answered by Padres infielder Ryan Schimpf. His solo homer to the right field put the Friars on the board for the first and only time in this game.

Boston brought in two more runs in the fifth inning to take the 5-1 lead over San Diego. Jay made an appearance in the bottom of the seventh inning to pinch hit for Leonel Campos and struck out swinging.

The Padres lost game two against the Red Sox with a score of 5-1. They’ll close out the series Wednesday evening at Petco Park before hosting the Colorado Rockies to end their week long home stand.

The US Men's National Team has some local flavor on the squad and one name you should recognize helped deliver a 4-0 victory over Trindad and Tobago in a crucial World Cup qualifier match.

Chula Vista native Paul Arriola was in the right place at the right time during one sequence in the second half.

On a breakaway opportunity, a shot deflected in front and the carom found his foot and Arriola found the back of the net.

That's the 2nd career goal for the Xolos forward on the U-S National team.

Earlier, Sacha Kljestan had scored in the 44th minute to get the US on the board.

Jozy Altidore later tallied two goals in a span of three minutes. Arriola’s fine play closed out the scoring.

That clinches the top seed in CONCACAF's Group C.

USA will face Mexico on November 11th in the next round which is also referred to as “the Hex.”

Are you ready for some football? Buzzy businesses around San Diego will kick off NFL season with delicious deals during the Chargers opener against the Chiefs on Sept. 11. Grab a brew and your crew and root for the bolts at these local eateries.

Draft Republic (La Jolla)
4282 Esplanade Ct.
With 14 big-screen TVs and nearly 50 beers on draft, Draft Republic is a good viewing spot for that Chargers opener. This eatery will offer deals throughout football season, including “Draft Pick Drinks” (select beer, wine, spirits) for $5 a pop, and $6 “Quarterback Snacks” including House Made Crispy Maple Bacon Sticks and Parmesan Fries. During football season, Draft Republic will open its doors at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.

Rare Form (East Village)
795 J St.
This East Village delicatessen offers cool schnapps drinks and gourmet deli classics, including the Rare Form 44: hot pastrami and sauerkraut on grilled rye bread. A giant TV hang overhead at this spot – right behind an Old Masters hanging on the wall.

Soda & Swine (Liberty Station)
2750 Dewey Rd.
This classic meatball eatery at Liberty Station is another good spot to celebrate pigskin season. Soda and Swine boasts six big screen TVs, plus cool cocktails like Rum & Cola Slurpees and craft beer.

Quad AleHouse (Downtown San Diego)
868 Fifth Ave.
High-definition TVs and a jumbo projection screen will be filled with football this season at Quad AleHouse. During the Chargers opener, the downtown San Diego spot will boast a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for $8, a $5 Mimosa Bar with fresh fruit and house champagne for $12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guests can also enjoy Firestone Pivo Pilsner and New Belgium Citradelic IPA for $4 and $5, respectively, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other weekend football beer specials are also on tap, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cerveza Jack’s (Pacific Beach)
1165 Garnet Ave.
This new eatery in Pacific Beach is also a solid game day choice. Drink specials during the Chargers opener (and throughout football season) include $20 Coors Light Bottle Buckets with five beers. On the menu, grab a Chorizo & Egg Burrito during brunch for $9, or take $3 off extra-long quesadillas called Machetes. The $10 Devil Fries could also be good gridiron grub: cheese fries, nachos, carnitas anc chicken topped with pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream.

The Blind Burro (East Village)
639 J St.
With lots of TVs throughout the space and a walk-up outdoor bar, drink specials during football games at The Blind Burro include $5 sangria, $10 bottles of champagne and two-for-one Dos XX Lager cans. The eatery’s Baja Style Taco Brunch menu boasts $3.50 a la carte tacos including the Ranchero: queso Oaxaca, Applewood-smoked bacon, avocado, fried egg and ranchero sauce.

The Deck at Moonshine Flats (East Village)
335 Sixth Ave.
Resembling a cool, outdoor tailgate destination, The Deck at Moonshine Flats is an open-air option for football enthusiasts. An extension of Moonshine Flats, this spot boasts backyard games, multiple bars and tailgate-style food. During football season, the A/V set-up at The Deck will allow patrons to hear and watch the games while basking in the sunshine. Brunch will be offered until 2 p.m. Sundays with specials like Smokehouse Chili-Lime Wings and Tri-Tip Biscuits and Gravy. Drink specials include $17 Shock Top pitchers.

Gaslamp Tavern (Downtown San Diego)
868 Fifth Ave.
Gaslamp Tavern, located right below Quad AleHouse will offer $4 Bud Light drafts during the Bolts 2016 opener, and pitchers for $14, plus $5 Shock Top beers and $15 pitchers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Of course, this is just a taste of some local businesses where you can catch the Bolts’ opener – which begins at 10 a.m. PT on Sept. 11.

Republican vice presidential candidate will make a stop in La Jolla on Wednesday for a fundraiser, according to a Donald Trump campaign official.

The Indiana Governor will be joined by hosts Doug Manchester and his wife, as well as weight-loss mogul Jenny Craig.

According to the Orange County Register, Pence will host another fundraiser in Orange County as well. Attendees must make a minimum campaign contribution of $2,700. For a $10,000 contribution, attendees can have their photo taken with Pence.

The price of the La Jolla fundraiser is unknown.

The fundraiser will start at 11 a.m. Wednesday, although the exact location is unclear.

A family turned to NBC 7 Responds after they say they were charged by Time Warner Cable for cable services after they sent in their equipment and switched to another provider. 

Sandy Golden helps her 87-year-old father when it comes to his finances. 

“I am meticulous with paperwork and I have everything documented,” Sandy said. 

So, when her dad wanted to move one of his TV sets, Sandy called Time Warner Cable but discovered a problem. 

“He [Time Warner representative] said something is really wrong here because we don’t have service with you,” Sandy said. 

This was new to Sandy, who thought her father was still using Time Warner for his cable service. 

Sandy soon learned her father was using Time Warner for phone and internet services but after speaking with company personnel and reviewing statements, she discovered her father was being charged for TV services even though he cancelled over a year prior. 

“I have an entire sheet on how many times I tried to call Time Warner Cable,” Sandy said, “I mean, at least 25 times I have called them.” 

Each time Sandy says Time Warner Cable staff acknowledged the overpayment but no one refunded the money she says her father was owed. So, Sandy contacted NBC 7 Responds. 

After providing a breakdown of the charges, Time Warner Cable apologized to Sandy and her father for the mix-up and offered her father a $1,200 refund. 

In a statement to NBC 7 Responds, Communications Director Dennis Johnson said, “"We apologized to Dr. Skidmore for our internal miscommunication on his account. We have fixed the error and are giving him an additional credit on his services."

The body of an infant has been found after the mother allegedly admitted to wrapping up the boy in blankets and leaving him in an empty lot in Tijuana, Mexico, according to law enforcement officials.

Elliot Villalobos, 7 months, was reported missing last week by relatives in Chula Vista, California. Investigators say they were led to the baby's body by his mother who was found living in San Diego with her new boyfriend.

Miguel Angel Guerrero Castro, with Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado de Baja California (PGJE), confirmed the baby was found dead Friday in the Lomas de la Presa neighborhood, approximately 12 miles south of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Family members of the boy's mother, 20-year-old Jasmine Villalobos, contacted the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) on August 31, concerned that they had not heard from the young mother since the end of June.

She was considered missing along with her boyfriend Luis Espinoza, 22, of Mexico, according to CVPD. Espinoza is not the boy's biological father.

The next day, San Diego Police Officers found the couple staying in San Diego. The baby was not with them so the couple was interviewed by CVPD.

They told law enforcement officials the baby suffered a fatal fall, they were scared and didn’t know what to do so they wrapped up the baby in blankets and left him in an empty lot, Guerrero Castro said.

NBC 7 spoke to Elliot's biological father who arrived in San Diego from the Central Valley on Tuesday.

"It's devastating. It's devastating," Joany Aguirre said. "You know especially the way I heard it. You know, I didn't want to come back to San Diego this way. I wanted to come back to see my baby with my family. I didn't want to come back this way. It's devastating. My heart is broken."

He told NBC 7 that he doesn't believe the story being told by the couple.

"I'm hurt. I'm hurt myself because I never expected this from her. It's crazy," he said. "I feel like I'm in a nightmare still. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I think about it all the time. And I think about my little baby all the time. It's devastating."

Aguirre said he wants justice for Elliot.

A GoFundMe page was started to raise money to get his baby boy's body back to the U.S. for a proper burial.

"He was always smiling. He never did no harm to no one. All he wanted was attention. When he did cry, it's because either he did wanted to be fed or he wanted to be changed and that's all he wanted," he said, adding that his baby boy did not deserve any part of this.

Those who lived near Villalobos' house told NBC 7 that they were shocked to learn of Elliot's death.

"I was like, 'how could someone do that to their baby'," neighbor Jessica Aceves said.

Another neighbor said there had been an argument among family members last week in the front of the house and police officers had been on seen.

“She kept saying something about 'you're a murderer, you're a murderer' or 'your brother is a murderer' or something like that and something about a child,” said neighbor Jose Chavez said, speaking of Villalobos.

Because Villalobos and Espinoza agreed to return to Mexico to explain what happened to Mexican law enforcement authorities, they are currently being detained in Tijuana.

The baby and his mother are citizens of the U.S.

Guerrero Castro said the baby was abandoned 20 days before he was found.

Family members of the boy’s mother told NBC 7 they are devastated over the news of Elliot’s death.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

The San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Department announced a new development in the case of Kristin Smart, a college student reported missing more than 20 years ago.

Authorities will begin excavating several locations of interest near the spot where the California Polytechnic State University student disappeared without a trace in May 1996.

Smart, a Cal Poly student, was 19 when she was returning to her Muir Hall dorm room following an off-campus party, NBC News reported. At the time, officials said, she was with her fellow student and friend, Paul Flores. 

She was never seen alive again.

Authorities announced Tuesday they would begin an excavation project on the part of the campus near the P, where Smart was seen last.

Two dozen FBI agents, along with approximately 15 members of the Sheriff’s Department, will be working on the project.

They developed the lead after a comprehensive review of the entire case. Officials are also focused on other locations, but are not disclosing at this time.

“We’re not sure where this is going to take us,” San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Dean Parkinson said. The excavation site was previously searched as part of a missing person case. Official digging for remains will start Wednesday morning. 

Human remains detection dogs were brought in by the FBI from Virginia to the location in January. With the assistance of the dogs, several areas of interest were identified on the hillside.

In the past 5 years, the Sheriff’s office has worked with the FBI, the California Department of Justice, the Ventura DNA lab and the DOJ DNA lab.

The Cal Poly president has been supportive of the efforts and has allowed them access to wherever they need.

“We did not want to dig during school. This time was picked because of the absence of students on campus,” Parkinson said.

Officials say the Smart family has been kept up to date and supports the efforts.

Despite the progression in the case, authorities say they are no closer to making an arrest than they were last week. 

Paul Flores remains a person of interest in the case, Parkinson said. Authorities named him a key witness in July 1996, but he has never officially been charged in connection with her disappearance, NBC News reported. 

The night of her disappearance, Flores has reportedly just met Smart at the off-campus party and told authorities they separated near his dorm room. Flores said she walked the short distance to her dorm room alone. 

However, Smart did not return to her room and has not contacted family or friends since that time, according to a CrimeStoppers release. At the time, she did not have identification, money or extra clothing. 

Smart was declared legally dead in 2002.

Anyone with information about Kristin or Paul Flores should contact Detective Nate Paul of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff`s Department at (805) 781-4518 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (805) 934-2444. People may also call CrimeStoppers at (805) 549-7867.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

Students at a Southern California university moved into on-campus housing that included a new option — dormitories designated for students "interested in issues of concern to the black community."

Cal State's Halisi Scholars Black Living-Learning Community, designated units within the nearly 200-unit campus residential apartments, was offered in time for the new school year after student reports of racially insensitive comments at the school east of downtown Los Angeles. The school's Black Student Union issued a call in November 2015 for changes, including the new living-learning community.

Twenty-four students are living in the dorm space, and the school said there is a wait list to get in. Applications are no longer being accepted for fall 2016.

The plan drew reaction on social media and among others who called it segregation and "black-only" housing. That's not the case, school officials and students said.

"They see something that says black housing, and they automatically equate it with black only," said student Jonathan Thomas. "It can be for anybody."

The apartments at Cal State Los Angeles are among several themed living communities, which are designed for students with common academic goals and interests. Other themed communities include the first-year residential experience for new students, scholars housing for honors college students and gender-neutral inclusive housing, which also has a long wait list, according to the school.

"This is not segregated housing," said CSULA spokesman Jonathan Thomas. "This housing is open to all students. It focuses on programs that are inclusive and non-discriminatory."

Cal State LA is not alone in offering themed housing. UC Berkeley offers African American, Asian Pacific American, Native American, women in science ad engineering and others themed housing.

Stanford University has four themed dorms. UCLA has a diverse list of learning communities, including Afrikan Diaspora, Gender, Sexuality, and Society, Sustainable Living and the Visual and Performing Arts Collective. 

The San Diego Chargers announced Tuesday that local schools will receive donations tied to an annual $250,000 grant.

The largest grant was given to Southwest High School for the construction of a new weight room. San Ysidro High School received $47,000 and Monroe Clark Middle School received $37,000. Both schools will be refurbishing their weight rooms with the funds.

A new indoor cycling program was planned with the $34,000 given to Pacific Beach Middle School.

Zamarano Elementary School will spend its $30,000 grant on a learning lab and railyard course.

King-Chavez Elementary School, Joyner Elementary School, Scripps Ranch High School, Sunset Hills Elementary School and Richland Elementary School will also receive funds to purchase new equipment or establish new fitness programs.

The Charger Champions grants have been awarded for 17 years to improve school facilities and equipment.

This year's recipients were selected by a Chargers Champions Leadership Team made up of key business, community and educational leaders in San Diego County.

Since the program's start in 2000, nearly $5.2 million has donated to San Diego area schools.