A man has been arrested for murder after he was linked to the death of a missing teen, whose leg was found in a California desert after she vanished from her home.
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that Abraham Feinbloom was taken into custody on February 13 after investigators confirmed the leg belonged to 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar.
Tovar, a resident of Riverside County, went missing more than two months before the arrest was made, according to authorities.
The teen was first reported missing from her home in Hemet, California, on December 1, 2025. Detectives believe that she traveled more than 70 miles to the Thermal area in order to meet an unknown man, according to KTLA.
Tovar’s mother, Charro Tovar, said that she normally shared her location with family and friends. However, she abruptly stopped communicating with her loved ones when she disappeared.
As authorities searched for Tovar, they discovered a leg in the Vista Delmar area on December 21, 2025, that “showed signs of decomposition.” DNA testing later confirmed that the remains belonged to Tovar, according to a previous sheriff’s office release.
“The mother’s DNA swab was compared to that of the found remains through a rapid DNA analysis comparison and a positive match was made, identifying the found remains as the missing female juvenile reported out of Riverside County, California,” the release stated at the time.
After the body was identified, deputies collaborated with the FBI in Los Angeles and served a search warrant at Feinbloom’s home in Salton City. Upon their arrival, Feinbloom, 51, was seen jumping a fence “in what appeared to be an attempt to evade law enforcement.”
Despite his attempt to flee, Feinbloom was apprehended and turned over to FBI agents for questioning. Meanwhile, investigators stayed at the residence and searched his home for evidence.
Feinbloom was then arrested and charged on suspicion of murder and resisting a peace officer. He is currently being held without bail in the Imperial County Jail.
It’s not currently clear if Feinbloom has entered a plea or retained legal counsel.
Police have also not shared how they connected Feinbloom to Tovar’s death.
Feinbloom has a history of legal issues, and News Channel 3 reported that court records show he previously faced felony kidnapping charges in Imperial County. The charges were dismissed in January 2019 after a preliminary hearing was held in the case.
Melanie Roe, Feinbloom’s former defense attorney, confirmed to the outlet that she previously represented him in the 2019 case.
“As to the matter I previously handled, I can only say that the District Attorney dismissed all charges against my client under the advisement that they were unable to proceed,” Roe said in a statement to the outlet.
The attorney also reflected on her former client’s latest case. “As to the current matter: Mr. Feinbloom, like all persons accused of a crime in this country, is shrouded by the presumption of innocence,” she said. “That means he is innocent of all charges unless, and until, the prosecution can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
