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Indian-Origin Woman Charged with Murdering Her 11-Year-Old Son After Disneyland Trip
In a tragic incident in Santa Ana, California, Saritha Ramaraju, an Indian-origin woman, has been charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son, Yatin. The alleged crime occurred during a custody visit after a trip to Disneyland.
Lead: Saritha Ramaraju, a 48-year-old mother of Indian origin, has been arrested and charged with the murder of her son, Yatin Ramaraju, after an emergency call revealed a devastating scene at their Santa Ana hotel room. This incident unfolded on March 19, just as they were scheduled to return home from a family trip to Disneyland during a custody visit.
The Shocking Allegations
– **Charges Filed:** Saritha Ramaraju has been charged with murder and felony enhancement for using a knife.
– **Potential Sentencing:** If convicted on all charges, she faces a sentence ranging from 26 years to life imprisonment.
Details of the Incident
– **Location:** The alleged crime took place at the La Quinta Inn located on Hotel Terrace in Santa Ana, California.
– **Vacation that Turned Tragic:** Ramaraju took her son on a Disneyland trip as part of their custody arrangement, purchasing three-day passes for both.
– **Emergency Call:** On the morning of March 19, Ramaraju called emergency services at 9:12 am, confessing to killing her son and attempting suicide by pill overdose.
Investigation Findings
– **Grim Discovery:** Authorities found Yatin dead in the motel room, surrounded by Disneyland merchandise, indicating he had been deceased for hours before the call was placed.
– **Murder Weapon:** A kitchen knife purchased the day before was recovered as evidence.
– **Suspect’s Condition:** Ramaraju was hospitalized due to ingesting drugs but was later arrested.
Statements from Officials
Todd Spitzer, the Orange County District Attorney, expressed profound grief over the incident:
– “The life of a child should not hang in the balance between two parents whose anger for each other outweighs their love for their child,” he stated, highlighting the tragic nature of familial disputes affecting children’s safety.
Background on the Parents
– **Custody Battles:** The charges come amidst ongoing custody disputes between Saritha and her ex-husband, Prakash Raju, who retained custody of Yatin after their divorce in January 2018.
– **Claims of Conflict:** Ramaraju had previously raised concerns about her ex-husband’s unilateral decisions regarding their son’s medical care and education, as well as alleged substance abuse issues.
Conclusion: The heartbreaking case of Saritha Ramaraju underscores the dire consequences that custody disputes can have on children. As she awaits trial, the community grapples with the shocking reality of this tragedy, reminding us of the vital importance of safeguarding children’s well-being amidst parental conflicts.
Keywords: Saritha Ramaraju, Yatin Ramaraju, murder charges, custody dispute, Disneyland trip, Orange County District Attorney, parental conflict, Santa Ana news
Hashtags: #MurderCharges #CustodyDispute #SantaAna #DisneylandTragedy #FamilyConflict
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