Buena Park, CA- On July 4, 2025, at 9:45 pm, Buena Park Police officers were patrolling the area of the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle after seeing a large quantity of fireworks detonate in this area.
Officers observed family members frantically carrying a child into a residence.
Officers immediately stopped to assist and discovered a young girl suffered critical injuries, consistent with a fireworks-related explosion.
Officers quickly began life-saving efforts for an 8-year-old female child. The child was transported to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
Through initial investigation, a large illegal fireworks display, which was placed in the street by the homeowner, failed and began misfiring toward the residence where the child was.
This caused other illegal fireworks to ignite, which were near the child and others. At some point, the child had been struck, causing fatal injuries. Several other individuals were present, but no significant injuries were reported.
The Buena Park Police Department is working in collaboration with Orange County Fire Authority investigators and the Orange County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad. A large number of fireworks that detonated were illegal, per the investigation and assistance from both the Fire investigators and Bomb Squad.
The homeowner, Earl Decastro, a 46-year-old Buena Park man, was subsequently arrested, and charges are pending upon review from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Decastro posted a $25,000 bail following his arrest, on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, according to the Buena Park Police.
The child was identified as Jasmine by a GoFundMe page set up to help her single mother, Bi Doan of Anaheim.
It sounds extreme yes, but I’m starting to think a complete ban sale, possession, and use of ALL fireworks aside from professional show is the only solution. And rigorous enforcement with stiff penalties. The 4th sounds more like a war zone than a celebration in recent years with bottle rockets and huge explosions. Its becoming rowdy and anti-social– and obviously leads to tragic consequence.