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5mo ago

Van Nuys Mother Charged with Murder of 7-Year-Old Daughter After Pleading Not Guilty

Graciela Castellanos remains in custody on $2 million bail as prosecutors prepare for a June 17 preliminary hearing in the drowning death of her daughter, Rebecca Castellanos.

A small memorial is left outside a Van Nuys apartment where 7-year-old Rebecca Castellanos was killed allegedly by her mother on Friday, April 11, 2025.
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Overview

  • Graciela Castellanos, 37, was charged with murder and felony assault after her daughter, Rebecca, was found unresponsive in a bathtub on April 11 in Van Nuys, California.
  • The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Rebecca's death a homicide caused by asphyxiation due to neck compression and drowning.
  • During her April 15 arraignment, Castellanos pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on $2 million bail.
  • Family members, including Castellanos' fiancĂ© and the child's stepfather, have cited her struggles with mental health and fears of deportation as contributing factors to the incident.
  • If convicted, Castellanos faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison, with the next court date set for June 17 at the Van Nuys Courthouse.