A wicked mum who murdered her newborn twins and discarded them in a vermin-ridden alleyway has finally been arrested thanks to DNA evidence.
Stephanie Castillo, 36, was arrested on murder charges last Friday after genetic testing linked her to the unsolved killing of her tiny sons. The infants, christened Zeke and Zane by NYPD officers, were discovered in Claremont, a suburb of the Bronx, back in 2020.
According to the New York Post, investigators have revealed fresh evidence confirming Castillo as the mother. NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano stated: “Our detectives had the funeral for these two children. Every year they had a memorial for these two children. They have never stopped caring about this case.”
Castillo now faces first and second degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of both babies. She’s also been slapped with counts of murder with intent and manslaughter.
Renford Cole, 75, the man who stumbled upon the boys’ bodies, told The New York Post: “Oh man. This is really a big burden lifted off my mind, a big weight.”
“I’m so happy to know that they find the person because those were babies, innocent babies. I am going to sleep better tonight.”
On Friday, police escorted Castillo from their 44th Precinct building to the spot where the infants were found lifeless in November 2020. One of the newborns was partially concealed under a pet training pad, showing signs of head trauma and his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, reports the Mirror.
The second infant was discovered approximately 20 feet away, concealed in a black plastic bag, with no visible injuries. It’s believed that both children were less than a day old at the time of their deaths.
Castillo had previously resided with her parents and reportedly kept her pregnancy a secret.
Forensic evidence, including blood samples from Castillo and the infants, played a crucial role in cracking the case. A match was found between Castillo’s blood and a genealogical DNA database entry belonging to one of her relatives.
In an unwitting move, Castillo provided the final piece of evidence needed. She discarded a drink container which investigators retrieved and used to extract her DNA, confirming her as the suspected perpetrator.
Chief Baldassano praised the efforts of his team, stating: “Interviews and video canvasses and the really great work of our forensic investigation division brought us to where we are today,” Castillo was subsequently arrested on Friday morning.
This arrest marks the latest development following the heartbreaking discovery. A funeral service for the twins was held in September 2021, attended by 20 police officers.
The infants were laid to rest in a single white casket, adorned with a bouquet of white flowers and a large blue bow. Cole, who discovered the bodies, recalled the tragic day, saying: “I saw [a trash bag] there from early in the morning, but I thought it was garbage. I paid it no mind because people threw garbage back there all the time.”
