A 32-year-old mother, Francis Cabello, has been charged with second-degree murder following the tragic death of her five-year-old daughter, Fabiana Cabello. The mother was taken into custody after allegedly admitting to killing her daughter during a 911 call made on the evening of Wednesday, 14 October.
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Emergency services responded to the call at a residence in South Richmond Hill, Queens, arriving at approximately 6:55 PM. Upon arrival, first responders found Fabiana unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Centre.
The New York Police Department has not formally identified the caller, but law enforcement reports indicate that Cabello disclosed to the 911 dispatcher, “I killed my daughter.” Following these troubling revelations, she was arrested the following day on 15 October, with the Queens District Attorney’s Office subsequently presenting the murder charge in court.
Cabello appeared before Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux on Friday, 16 October, where she did not enter a plea. She is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, 20 October. Attempts to reach her legal representative for comments have yet to receive a response.
The specifics surrounding Fabiana’s demise are still unclear, as the official cause of death has not been disclosed. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to carry out an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident. According to a criminal complaint obtained, an autopsy revealed the presence of scrapes on Fabiana’s face, alongside petechiae—small spots of bleeding—in her eyes, heart, and lungs. These findings are often linked to asphyxia.
Investigators theorise that the incident leading to Fabiana’s death occurred between 5:30 PM and 6:55 PM on the day of the incident. The timeline and specific details surrounding her death remain a focus of the ongoing investigation.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Fabiana’s father, Kuldeep Singh, has started a verified GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering funeral expenses. He expressed his profound grief on the fundraising page, stating, “I loved my daughter very much, and losing her feels like I lost my whole world.” Singh, an Uber driver, is struggling to manage costs while dealing with the emotional pain of losing his child.
Family and loved ones have shared their memories of Fabiana, highlighting her joyful spirit. An uncle, who remains unnamed, described her as a happy child who brought light into their lives. “She was a very beautiful girl,” he remarked. “She kept my mum and dad happy. She would give you a nice hug; she was a very happy little girl.”
The community now grapples with the loss of an innocent life, and questions are raised about what led to this tragic event. As investigations continue, both the family and the local community are left to cope with the pain of an untimely death.
Francis Cabello now faces serious charges that will unfold in court over the coming weeks. The public awaits more details as the case progresses, reflecting the broader implications of such tragedies in families and communities across the nation. The story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health and family dynamics that can lead to devastating outcomes.