Graciela Xiomara Castellanos, aged 37, has been charged with murder after the drowning death of her 7-year-old daughter in their Van Nuys apartment. Prosecutors labeled the incident as profoundly tragic, noting the girl died from asphyxia due to neck compression and drowning, which they ruled a homicide. Castellanos was arrested on the scene, with a bail set at $2 million, and she faces serious charges including one count of murder. If convicted, she could face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life.
"The alleged facts of this case - where a mother is accused of intentionally taking the life of her young child - are profoundly tragic and deeply unsettling," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in the release. "Our sympathy goes out to the family and loved ones of this young girl, whose life was cut short far too soon."
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the girl died from asphyxia due to neck compression and drowning and ruled her death a homicide, records show.
Castellanos is facing "one felony count of murder and one felony count of assault on a child under 8 years old causing death," prosecutors said.
If she's found guilty on all counts, prosecutors said Castellanos could get a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life.
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