Police in Brooklyn, New York, have arrested a mother in connection with the death of her 6-year-old daughter. Emergency responders arrived at a home in Cyprus Hills following a report of an unresponsive child. They found Karla Espinal’s daughter, Madelyn Tavarez, unconscious in a bathtub filled with water. Tragically, it appears the child fought to stay alive against her mother’s alleged horrific abuse.
According to People, police arrived at the home around 1:30 p.m. February 7. “Emergency Medical Services responded to the location and transported the female aided to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased,” the New York Police Department confirmed in a statement.
A short time later, police arrested 26-year-old Espinal in connection with Madelyn’s death. A source told the New York Post the little girl had blood clots in her eyes at the time of her death, indicating she likely struggled with her mother to stay alive.
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“[Police were] informed by [the relative] that, at the above time and place, the defendant did submerge Madelyn Tavarez under water in a bathtub, and that Madelyn Tavarez was not moving,” according to court documents obtained by the Post.
During a court appearance on February 9, Espinal allegedly told the court she was trying to baptize her daughter. Per the Post, the child’s father, Jorge Tavarez, told police his daughter had been fine an hour earlier.
Tavarez’s friend, Emmanuel Pichardo, told the Post his frightened friend shared the horrific news about his daughter. “He just sent me a message around like 4 o’clock telling me that someone murdered his daughter. He didn’t say who.”
Neighbor Gina Khau described the family as happy and loving. She told the Post that prior to Madelyn’s death, she heard a scream coming from the family’s home around 4:30 a.m.
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But she never expected what came next. “I see that they are happy. I see the mother loved the girl … and [the father] is a nice guy.”
Per the Post, prosecutors said Espinal is under psychiatric evaluation and on suicide watch. She faces charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. She is currently being held without bail.
