Overview

• Saritha Ramaraju, 48, called 911 on March 19, confessing to killing her son, Yatin, and attempting suicide by ingesting pills.
• The boy's body was found in a Santa Ana hotel room, surrounded by Disneyland souvenirs, with his throat slit by a kitchen knife purchased the day before.
• Ramaraju and her son had been on a three-day Disneyland trip during a court-approved custody visit, with Yatin scheduled to return to his father that day.
• The killing is believed to be linked to a prolonged custody battle between Ramaraju and her ex-husband, Prakash Raju, following their 2018 divorce.
• Ramaraju has been charged with murder and a weapon enhancement and is being held without bail, with her next court appearance set for April 17, 2025.