A 5-year-old Queens girl allegedly killed by her mother suffered devastating injuries to her heart, eyes, lungs and brain, prosecutors said Friday, as the woman accused in the child’s death was ordered held without bail.
The grim allegations were outlined in Queens Criminal Court, where Francis Cabello was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge. Cabello had called 911 and chillingly told an operator, “I killed my daughter.”
Police and emergency responders found Fabiana Cabello inside the family’s South Richmond Hill home shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, after her 32-year-old mother made the disturbing call.
Outside the courthouse, Fabiana’s grandfather, Franklin Cabello, spoke to reporters in Spanish about the family’s anguish. “As a family, we feel mentally and physically destroyed. We can’t think [clearly] but we put our confidence in God,” he said.
Franklin described his daughter as respectful and quiet, saying she had always treated him like a father and loved Fabiana. He added that he believed she “wasn’t in control” and had not made the decision “in her right mind,” suggesting she may have been under some kind of influence.
With tears in his eyes, he added, “I forgive my daughter.”
When officers reached the home, they found the child unconscious and immediately began performing CPR.
Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Ruzza said Fabiana’s condition was so critical that officers did not wait for an ambulance. They placed her in a patrol vehicle and drove her to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Ruzza told the court that Cabello made several statements to police about not only killing her daughter, but also wanting to have killed her.
According to prosecutors, Fabiana appeared healthy and had been running around the home for hours. Her mother later took her into a second-floor bedroom, locked the door and emerged alone roughly 45 minutes later before calling 911.
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First responders found Fabiana lying facedown on the floor, with blood coming from her nose.
Police said Francis Cabello and her daughter were the only people inside the bedroom.
A neighbor who identified himself as Carlos said Cabello appeared expressionless when officers arrested her and led her away in handcuffs.
“She was not crying, it was like nothing happened,” he told The Post.
“It’s too much emotions together. I feel sad for the child.”
Erika Santiago, 43, a licensed practical nurse who lives across the street, said she heard extensive yelling Wednesday night before emergency crews arrived.
Santiago, who has two daughters, ages 10 and 12, said she learned the full details when she woke up at 6 a.m. Thursday. “It’s absolutely devastating, devastating,” she said.
“And it’s right across the street and they brought her to the hospital I work at. It’s so close to home.”
An autopsy by Dr. Lin of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found scrapes on Fabiana’s face, petechiae in her eyes, heart and lungs, swelling of the brain, bruising on her limbs, and intramuscular bleeding around her shoulder blade and lower back. Prosecutors and court documents said the injuries were consistent with asphyxiation.
Additional reporting by Marie Pohl
