Pauly Elementary to have resources for students, staff in wake of student death
Genesis Mata was a student at Leo G. Pauly Elementary School. We reached out to the Bakersfield City School District to see if there are any resources available to students and their families.
Man gets 12 years in human trafficking case
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man accused of human trafficking was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison after pleading no contest to all charges, according to court records. Keshaun Arturo Brown, 33, pleaded no contest in June to charges of pandering, pimping, human trafficking and possession of a gun and...
2 brothers arrested in Taft after murder investigation: police
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Santa Maria Police Department tracked down two men that are in custody after a murder investigation led them to the city of Taft. Officials arrested Victoriano Lopez Feliciano, 27, and Gabriel Lopez Feliciano, 32, at 6 p.m. on Sunday in Taft. Police said Victoriano was arrested for...
Memorial set up by community outside the motel room where Genesis Mata was killed
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A memorial has been set up outside the motel room where Genesis’ body was found and where police believe she was killed. Sunday marked one week since police discovered Genesis’ body inside a bathtub, in room 248 of the La Quinta Inn Motel off of Buck Owens Boulevard. Her father and […]
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in death of 62-year-old
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County jury on Tuesday returned guilty verdicts on charges including involuntary manslaughter in connection with an assault two years ago that fatally injured a 62-year-old man. Jeffrey Sellers was found guilty of the manslaughter charge as well as assault and battery in the death...
Suspect charged with attempted murder after 3 struck by vehicle
A man has charged with attempted murder and other charges after three men were struck by a vehicle in South Taft late Saturday night. Two of the victims suffered "severe injuries," according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were sent to the 300 block of Naylor Avenue just before...
Bakersfield Girl Scout donates homemade cat scratchers to KCAS
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield Girl Scout donated homemade cat scratchers made out of Girl Scout Cookie boxes to Kern County Animal Services. The animal shelter took to social media, that Lillian with the Girl Scouts Troop 2815 made and donated over 20 cat scratchers. According to a flyer written by...
Over 1,000 people sign petition demanding investigation into Kern County CPS following Genesis Mata’s...
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Public outrage against Kern County’s Child Protective Services has been growing after the tragic death of 8-year-old Genesis Mata shook the community, with a petition calling for an investigation into the department continuing to gain support. The Change.org petition, named “Demand...
Snap benefits at risk in Kern County
Millions could see food stamp cuts under new federal changes, and Kern County nonprofit Cap K urges residents to call 211 for help as the impact remains uncertain.
Parole denied for 75-year-old repeat offender, deemed a risk to public safety
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) denied release to a convicted rapist and three-strikes offender for crimes committed from 1971 to 1998. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on August 7, 2025, BPH found that Willie Mixon continues to pose a current and...
