Investigation after toddler found dead under blankets in backseat of SUV

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Detectives are investigating the death of a toddler found in the back of an SUV, reports CBS Sacramento.

A sheriff's deputy first noticed an SUV parked the wrong direction in the street in Rancho Cordova Wednesday. A search inside the SUV reportedly led to the 3-year-old girl's body, under blankets in the backseat. 

On Thursday, detectives arrested 46-year-old Untwan Smith and 27-year-old Angela Phakhin. Detectives say Phakhin is the girl's biological mother, while Smith is the woman's boyfriend; both are believed to have been living out of their car since arriving in California in February. 

The station reports that it is still not clear how the toddler died. Detectives are waiting on a report from the coroner's office.

"There were no obvious signs of trauma, so they're still in the beginning stages of this death investigation," said Sgt. Tony Turnbull with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.  

Smith and Phakhin are reportedly facing charges of child endangerment and conspiracy and are being held at the Sacramento County Jail on $1,000,000 bail.