On Friday, October 17, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Kern County Sheriff's...

On Friday, October 17, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies from the Ridgecrest Substation, in coordination with investigators from the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 5200 block of Nolina Avenue, Inyokern. The operation was conducted to arrest Elijah Cox, age 18, who was wanted in connection with multiple felony charges related to a sexual assault investigation.

During the course of the search, deputies discovered that the residence was in extremely poor condition and deemed uninhabitable. As a result, two juveniles were removed from the home for their safety. The children’s parents, identified as Bobbi Smith age 39, and Kevin Smith , age 62, were released at the scene pending criminal charges related to child neglect.

Elijah Cox was arrested for an active felony Ramey warrant and booked into the Kern County Jail.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040.