June 3, 2023 - San Bernardino County Sheriff Department officials report that on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children (CAC) Detail, the Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), investigated allegations of physical abuse to a three-month-old female victim. The victim was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with life-threatening injuries consistent with child abuse.  Detectives identified the infant's father, Drew Hellerud, as the suspect. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, Hellerud was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino for violation of PC 273ab(a) Child Endangerment: Death or Paralysis, PC 205 Aggravated Mayhem, PC 206 Torture, and PC 273a(a) Child Endangerment, in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Wendy Winegar of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.    

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

INCIDENT: PC 273ab(b) Child Cruelty: Death or Paralysis
PC 273a(a) Child Cruelty: Injury or Death
PC 206 Torture
PC 205 Aggravated Mayhem

LOCATION: Town of Yucca Valley

VICTIM: Confidential Juvenile, 3-months-old

SUSPECT: Drew Michael Hellerud, 31-years-old, Resident of Yucca Valley

Refer: Detective Wendy Winegar

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail

Phone No.  (909) 890-4904

Case No. 602300047

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff Department