MINEOLA, N.Y. — A 20-year-old Inwood man has been indicted for second-degree murder after allegedly killing his 2-month-old daughter through a violent series of physical assaults at their home in March, Nassau County prosecutors announced Thursday.
Key Points
- Marlon Rabanales Pretzantzin, 20, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his infant daughter, Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios.
- The child died from extensive injuries, including fractured ribs, brain hemorrhaging, and dislocated vertebrae.
- Rabanales Pretzantzin was arraigned and remains in custody; he faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Infant died after sustained abuse, authorities allege
According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, the fatal assault occurred on the morning of March 7, 2025, while Rabanales Pretzantzin was alone with his 2-month-old daughter and 14-month-old son at a residence on Maple Road in Inwood.
Prosecutors say the defendant slapped the infant’s face, punched her in the stomach multiple times, violently shook her, dropped her onto a bed, and applied pressure to her body with his own weight. The child, Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios, became unresponsive following the alleged assault.
Medical evidence contradicts initial claim
Rabanales Pretzantzin allegedly brought the child to a neighbor’s apartment, where emergency services were called. He initially told police that the infant had accidentally fallen from his arms.
However, medical findings told a different story. The infant was transported to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital and later to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed she had sustained contusions to the head, multiple rib fractures, severe neck hemorrhaging, and dislocation of the C5 and C6 vertebrae.
“This defendant, tired of his 2-month-old daughter’s crying, allegedly beat and shook her so violently that he caused severe hemorrhaging and dislocated the vertebrae in the child’s neck, killing her,” said DA Donnelly.
Defendant remains in custody
Rabanales Pretzantzin was arrested on March 12 by Nassau County Police and arraigned on the indictment Thursday before Judge Robert Schwartz. He remains remanded and is due back in court on May 6.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.