Authorities in New York City said a woman accused of killing her 6-year-old daughter drowned the girl was “baptizing” her.
Madelyn Tavarez, 6, fought her mother Karla Espinal, 26, as she kept her 20 minutes underwater on Friday.
The girl’s father told detectives he saw her alive an hour earlier. Espinal allegedly told police she was “baptizing” the girl.
“The defendant submerged [Madelyne] in a bathtub leading to the death of the child,” said Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg.
“The defendant was baptizing the defendant’s daughter.”
Espinal has been charged with felony assault and reckless endangerment. Upgraded charges against her are expected.
Longtime neighbor Gina Khau recalled a “happy and cute” girl loved by her parents.
“I see they happy. I see the mother love the girl so much,” she added.
