LANCASTER, Calif. —  A 9-year-old girl who witnessed her mother stabbed to death with a sword pleaded with authorities to hurry to the scene, telling them, "I don't want my mommy to die," according to a recording of the girl's 911 call released Monday by sheriff's officials.

Jesus Humberto Canales, 28, allegedly stabbed his live-in girlfriend, Lucy Preciado, 26, in front of the couple's four young children Saturday at their Lancaster home, said Los Angeles County sheriff's officials. Canales fled the scene and was still at large Monday.

The girl called 911 early Saturday, telling authorities, "My dad just stabbed my mom ... with a sword. He's leaving right now. Please hurry. I don't want my mommy to die. I'm scared. I want to go to my grandma's."

Click here to listen to the 911 call.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said the call was "so horrendous it made a couple of the homicide detectives cry." He said detectives described the killing as the worst they had ever seen.

Investigators found a large sword at the scene. Canales may have a gun and should be considered dangerous, officials said.

"We need to get a desperate man off the street and we would prefer to get him off right now, but this is not simple and easy," Sheriff Lee Baca said. "We need the public's help."