Prosecutors announced Tuesday that an authority said the mother who drowned her 7-year-old daughter in Van Nuys’ apartment this month was charged with murder.
Prosecutors also charged Graciela Castellanos, 37, of Van Nuys, with felony assault on a child under the age of 8, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said Castellanos flooded her daughter on April 11 and was identified as Rebecca Castellanos.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examination Officer, an autopsy determined the girl died of asphyxiation due to neck compression and drowning.
Authorities said Castellanos pleaded not guilty during a Tuesday arraignment. She is still detained in lieu of $2 million in bail.
If convicted, Castellanos faces up to 25 years in prison.
The Los Angeles County is deeply miserable and deeply disturbing, the so-called fact-the mother is accused of intentionally taking the life of her child. “Atty. Nathan Hochman said in a press release. “We sympathize with the young girl’s family and loved ones, and their lives are so fast.” ”
Castellanos’ fiancé told ABC7 that his partner suffered from “psychological and emotional health issues” and he believed she was triggered by “deep depression after finding out she might not be a law resident.”
Castellanos “is almost a perfect mom. She never told a bad word, yelling at a girl, not hitting her,” he said in Spanish. “She is the sweetest mom in the world.”
