A Ceres man is being held in connection with the death of an 8-month-old girl who had been living in a car with family members in Hickman.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department and emergency personnel responded to the 500 block of Hickman Road where the mother called authorities to report that her daughter was not responsive. The child was transported to Oak Valley Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The parents had been sleeping in their Mercury Grand Marquis for the last two months with their four children aged 4, 3, 2, and 8 months.

During the investigation the mother had also made allegations of domestic violence against the father, Dale Rutherford, 41 of Ceres.

During the investigation evidence was located supporting her allegations and of child abuse on the remaining children. The father, Dale Rutherford, was arrested on felony charges for domestic violence and child abuse.

The autopsy was concluded Monday, but the cause of death is not being released at this time. The department is not releasing any information due to the active investigation.