NYC Mother Charged with Murder of 5-Year-Old Daughter After Confession

A 5-year-old girl in Queens, New York, who was allegedly killed by her mother, suffered severe injuries to her heart, eyes, lungs, and brain, according to prosecutors. The mother, Francis Cabello, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder and was held without bail.

Authorities responded to the family's South Richmond Hill home on Wednesday evening after Cabello made a chilling confession to a 911 operator, stating, “I killed my daughter.” First responders found the child, Fabiana Cabello, unconscious and immediately began CPR. Due to the severity of her condition, police transported her to Jamaica Hospital in a patrol car, where she was pronounced dead.

Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Ruzza detailed the mother's statements, which reportedly included references to wanting to kill her child. The young girl was described as being in good health and active in the hours leading up to the incident. Prosecutors allege that Cabello took her daughter to a second-floor bedroom, locked the door, and emerged alone about 45 minutes later to make the 911 call.

When officers arrived, they found Fabiana face down with blood emanating from her nose. The medical examiner's autopsy revealed injuries consistent with asphyxiation, including scrapes on her face, petechiae in her eyes, and hemorrhaging in her heart, lungs, and brain. Bruises were also found on her extremities, along with intramuscular hemorrhaging on her shoulder blade and lower back.

During her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, Cabello appeared stoic and silent. Her grandfather, Franklin Cabello, expressed profound grief and stated his belief that his daughter was not in her right mind. “As a family, we feel mentally and physically destroyed. We can’t think [clearly] but we put our confidence in God,” he told reporters outside the court. “I forgive my daughter.”

A neighbor, who identified himself as Carlos, described Cabello's demeanor at the time of her arrest as unremorseful, noting she did not shed tears. Another neighbor, Erika Santiago, a licensed practical nurse, reported hearing shouting on Wednesday night prior to the emergency response, calling the event “devastating.”