A Chicago mother has been charged with first-degree murder after confessing to strangling her one-year-old daughter to death.
Marisol Vazquez, 37, was arrested in connection to the death of her baby, Lucia Vasquez, which occurred inside a residence in the 500 block of North Springfield Avenue in Humboldt Park in Illinois. According to the arrest report obtained by the Chicago Tribune, when police arrived at the crime scene they discovered Marisol sitting naked on a bed with the baby lying unresponsive behind her.
After Lucia was found cold and not breathing, life-saving measures were attempted and water came shooting out of the baby's mouth. After discovering her state, Lucia was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
When detectives searched the home they also discovered a bathtub filled with water and clogged up with clothing. After detectives questioned Marisol about what had happened, she made strange statements about being trapped by electronics and that everyone in the house had been raped. She then told them: "We had to go in the water. We had to be with nature."
The murder, which took place on Dec. 20, 2024, was later determined to be a homicide primarily due to asphyxia, according to the The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. On Saturday, Jan. 4, Marisol appeared before a court for her detention hearing and admitted to the crime. According to court documents, she claimed that there were "voices in her head" and the "devil told her to kill the child."
Police added that Marisol showed signs of suicidal ideation and said that she attempted to drown herself but couldn’t, so she began to cut herself. Following this admission, Marisol was taken to a hospital for mental evaluation for a time.
According to court documents, Chicago Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Marisol to be detained and cited “significant mental health issues." The judge also noted that she is unable to control her impulses and should not have access to dangerous household items. Marisol is set to remain in custody until her next court date which is slated to take place on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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