Mother charged with murder in death of 5-year-old Queens girl

A 32-year-old mother faces a murder charge following the death of her 5-year-old daughter inside a Queens home on Wednesday evening, according to law enforcement authorities and a report from ABC7 New York.

Authorities responded to a residence on 110th Street in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of Queens, where officers discovered the child unresponsive inside an upstairs bedroom, officials said. The mother was taken into custody and transported to a medical facility for a psychiatric evaluation.

Incident Overview

According to police and local reporting from ABC7 New York, officers responded to a 911 call placed from the home on 110th Street just before 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. During the emergency call, the mother reportedly told the 911 dispatcher that she had killed her daughter. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers encountered the mother on the ground floor of the residence, where she pointed police toward an upstairs bedroom and indicated that the child was not breathing.

Officers located 5-year-old Fabiana Cabello inside the bedroom, where she was observed bleeding from her nose and mouth. Emergency medical personnel transported the child to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 7:30 p.m. The child's grandfather, Franklin Cabello, was inside the home during the incident but stated he was in a separate room with the door closed and was unaware of what occurred until law enforcement officers entered the dwelling around 6:30 p.m.

Timeline of Events

1. Wednesday Evening (Approximately 6:30 p.m.): Franklin Cabello, the victim's grandfather, noted remaining inside a closed room in the home until law enforcement officers arrived at the scene.
2. Wednesday Evening (Just before 7:00 p.m.): A 911 call was placed from the residence on 110th Street in Richmond Hill. The caller, identified as 32-year-old Francis Cabello, reportedly stated to the operator, "I killed my daughter."
3. Wednesday Evening (Post-7:00 p.m. Arrival): Police officers arrived at the home and located Francis Cabello on the lower level. She informed officers that the child was upstairs and not breathing. Officers located 5-year-old Fabiana Cabello unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom.
4. Wednesday Evening (7:30 p.m.): Fabiana Cabello was pronounced deceased at Jamaica Hospital after being transported by emergency responders.

Suspect Information

The suspect has been identified by authorities as 32-year-old Francis Cabello, the mother of the victim. Following her initial contact with responding officers, Cabello was transported to a regional hospital facility to undergo a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Family members reported that Cabello has a documented history of mental health conditions and was prescribed medication. Franklin Cabello stated publicly that his daughter has mental health problems and was taking medication at the time of the incident.

Victim Information

The victim in the case was identified as 5-year-old Fabiana Cabello. Neighbors recalled the young girl as a vibrant and joyful child who frequently played outside near her home throughout the summer, riding her bicycle and scooter around the neighborhood.

Police Response

Officers from the New York City Police Department dispatched to the Richmond Hill address immediately following the emergency call. Upon securing the location, officers provided immediate scene preservation, directed emergency medical technicians to the victim in the upstairs bedroom, and established a perimeter to facilitate both medical transport and forensic processing of the dwelling.

Investigation

The New York City Police Department is conducting a comprehensive homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child's death. Homicide detectives and forensic technicians evaluated the scene on 110th Street to collect physical evidence and analyze scene geometry. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City is tasked with performing a formal autopsy to determine the precise medical cause and manner of death. Detectives are also reviewing emergency communications and conducting interviews with household members and neighboring residents.

Evidence Collected

• Recorded 911 audio containing statements attributed to the suspect during the emergency call.
• Verbal admissions provided to responding patrol officers upon their arrival at the residence.
• Forensic observations and physical evidence recovered from the upstairs bedroom scene.
• Medical records and physical documentation generated during treatment efforts at Jamaica Hospital.

Arrest Details

Francis Cabello was taken into custody at the Richmond Hill scene by responding officers. Due to statements made during the response and reported medical history, authorities directed that Cabello be transported under guard to a hospital facility for a formal psychiatric evaluation before processing through the criminal justice system.

Charges Filed

Francis Cabello faces formal criminal allegations in connection with the fatality. Under New York law, criminal charges are formal accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt:

• Murder: Under New York Penal Law, murder is a felony charge alleging that an individual intentionally caused the death of another person or acted under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life. A conviction for murder carries severe statutory penalties under state law, including potential sentences up to life imprisonment. The charge requires prosecutors to establish legal intent or qualifying mental states beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Court Information

Formal court proceedings for serious felony offenses originating in Queens fall under the jurisdiction of the Queens County Criminal Court for initial arraignment, with subsequent trial proceedings handled in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County, Criminal Term. Specific docket numbers and scheduled hearing dates were not immediately released by court officials pending the completion of the defendant's psychiatric assessment and formal booking process.

Statements from Authorities

According to police statements reported by ABC7 New York, responding officers entered the home after the mother reported the emergency to a 911 operator. Police confirmed that the mother stated to the dispatcher, "I killed my daughter," and informed officers upon arrival, "She's upstairs, not breathing." Authorities further confirmed that the case is being actively investigated as a homicide while awaiting formal autopsy results from the medical examiner.

Public Safety Information

Incidents involving sudden family violence or mental health crises highlight the availability of emergency intervention resources. Individuals experiencing mental health challenges, acute emotional distress, or family distress can access confidential crisis support services 24 hours a day by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. In situations involving immediate physical danger or medical emergencies, members of the public should immediately dial 911.

What Happens Next

Following the completion of the court-ordered psychiatric evaluation, the defendant is expected to be presented for formal arraignment before a judge. During arraignment, the court will formally read the charges, address legal representation, and determine bail or detention status. Under New York criminal procedure, felony cases are presented to a grand jury to evaluate whether sufficient evidence exists to return an indictment. If indicted, the case will proceed through pretrial motions, evidentiary hearings, and potential trial proceedings in Supreme Court. The defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.