LOS ANGELES, CA — A tragic and deeply disturbing case has unfolded in Los Angeles, where a mother is accused of killing her 7-year-old daughter in what her fiancé describes as a breakdown fueled by depression and fears over immigration status.
Graciela Castellanos, 37, is now facing a murder charge, with her bail set at $2 million, after police say she strangled and drowned her daughter Rebecca Castellanos in the bathtub of their apartment on Friday, April 11.
The case has drawn public shock, especially after a neighbor reported hearing the child’s final cries, allegedly screaming, “Mommy, please no!”, just before police were called to the scene.
What Happened on April 11?
At approximately 5:40 p.m., officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and emergency responders arrived at an apartment in the 6800 block of Sepulveda Boulevard. Inside, they found Rebecca unresponsive in the bathtub. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
An autopsy confirmed that the child died from asphyxiation due to neck compression and drowning, indicating both strangulation and submersion.
Fiancé Says Mother Was Struggling with Mental Health and Immigration Worries
Speaking to KABC News, Castellanos’ fiancé — who is not the child’s biological father — described her as an “almost perfect mom” who had never shown signs of violence.
He said she struggled with emotional and mental health issues, including episodes of panic, screaming, and isolation, but insisted she had never hurt her daughter before.
“She was the sweetest mom in the world,” he told the outlet. “I never got to the apartment and saw the girl or [Castellanos]. I got home after all of it happened.”
The man said he believed Castellanos had been overwhelmed by fear of deportation, and that this anxiety may have triggered a mental health crisis. Her immigration status had become a source of stress, he claimed, and she feared that she would be removed from the country and permanently separated from her child.
A Child’s Last Cry
A neighbor, who also spoke to the press on the condition of anonymity, told KABC she heard the young girl pleading before the tragedy unfolded. The disturbing report adds to the heartbreaking nature of the case, painting a grim picture of mental deterioration and a child’s final moments.
Police have not said who called 911, and the timeline between the child’s death and the emergency call remains under investigation.
Broader Context: Immigration and Mental Health
This incident occurs during a period of increased tension over immigration policy, especially under President Trump’s administration, which recently invoked an 18th-century wartime authority to escalate deportations. These policies have sparked concern among immigrant communities, who face legal uncertainty and fear of removal, particularly those already navigating the asylum or naturalization process.
Mental health advocates say that immigration stress, combined with existing emotional disorders, can push vulnerable individuals into crisis situations — particularly mothers or single parents afraid of losing their children.
Charges and What’s Next
Graciela Castellanos has been booked for murder and is being held on $2 million bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed soon by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
As the investigation continues, authorities will examine both Castellanos’ mental health history and her immigration background, while prosecutors consider whether to pursue additional charges or mental health evaluations as part of the case.