South Richmond Hill, Queens — A 5-year-old girl has died after an alleged attack inside her family’s New York City home, with prosecutors revealing serious injuries during court proceedings as her mother faces a second-degree murder charge.
The child, identified as Fabiana Cabello, was found unresponsive at her home shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday. Her mother, 32-year-old Francis Cabello, allegedly called 911 and told the operator, “I killed my daughter,” according to the reported case details.
The case has devastated the girl’s family and shocked neighbors as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding her death.
Prosecutors Reveal Autopsy Findings in Queens Girl’s Death
During Francis Cabello’s arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Friday, Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Ruzza described the severity of the child’s injuries.
According to prosecutors and court documents, an autopsy conducted by Dr. Lin of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found scrapes on Fabiana’s face, pinpoint bleeding in her eyes, heart and lungs, a swollen brain, bruises on her extremities, and bleeding within muscles around her shoulder blade and lower back.
Prosecutors said the findings were consistent with asphyxiation.
The details emerged as Cabello was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge and held without bail. The allegations are part of the ongoing criminal case, and the charges have not been adjudicated at trial.
What Happened Inside the South Richmond Hill Home?
According to the account presented by prosecutors, Fabiana had reportedly been in good health and running around the home for hours before the incident.
Her mother allegedly took her to a second-floor bedroom, locked the door and emerged alone about 45 minutes later. Francis then called 911, according to the reported timeline.
When emergency responders arrived, they found the child face down on the floor with blood coming from her nose. Police officers immediately began performing CPR.
Ruzza told the court that officers did not wait for an ambulance because of the severity of the child’s condition. Instead, they placed Fabiana in a patrol car and rushed her to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said Francis and her daughter were the only two people in the room.
Prosecutors also said the mother made several statements to police concerning the killing and expressing that she had wanted to kill her child.
Grandfather Says He Forgives His Daughter
Outside the courthouse, Fabiana’s grandfather, Franklin Cabello, spoke to reporters in Spanish about the family’s grief.
“As a family, we feel mentally and physically destroyed. We can’t think [clearly] but we put our confidence in God,” he said, according to the reported translation.
He described his daughter as someone who had treated him with respect and said she loved her child. He also suggested that she had not been in control of herself when the incident occurred, although the available information does not establish what may have influenced her actions.
“I forgive my daughter,” Franklin said through tears.
His comments offered a glimpse into the family’s complicated grief as relatives mourn the death of a young child while confronting serious allegations against a close family member.
Neighbors Describe Shock After the Child’s Death
People living near the family’s home also described their distress following the incident. A neighbor who identified himself as Carlos told that Francis appeared stoic as she was taken away in handcuffs.
“She was not crying, it was like nothing happened,” he said.
Carlos added that the situation brought overwhelming emotions, saying he felt sad for the child.
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Erika Santiago, a 43-year-old licensed practical nurse who lives across the street, said she heard “a lot of yelling” on Wednesday night before emergency responders arrived.
Santiago said she learned more about the incident the following morning and described the news as devastating. The proximity of the incident to her home and workplace made the case particularly difficult for her, she said.
Mother Faces Murder Charge as Case Moves Forward
Francis Cabello remains at the center of the criminal investigation following her arraignment on a second-degree murder charge. She was held without bail, according to the court proceedings described in the report.
The case has drawn attention to the circumstances of Fabiana’s death, the medical findings presented by prosecutors and the family’s emotional response.
Further legal proceedings are expected to address the allegations and evidence in court. Until the case is resolved, the accusations against Francis remain allegations rather than a final judicial determination.
For the family, however, the loss of a 5-year-old child has already brought profound grief, with her grandfather’s emotional statement underscoring the painful conflict between mourning Fabiana and forgiving his daughter.
What are your thoughts on the family’s heartbreaking situation? Share your condolences and reflections respectfully in the comments below.
