A 48-year-old Indian-origin woman, Saritha Ramaraju, has been charged with murdering her 11-year-old son following a three-day Disneyland trip. Authorities in Orange County, California, allege that she fatally slit her son’s throat during a custody visit.
In addition to a felony murder charge, Ramaraju faces an additional felony count for using a knife as a weapon. If convicted on all charges, she could receive a maximum sentence of 26 years to life, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Indian-Origin Woman Charged with Son’s Murder
A fun-filled Disneyland vacation turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when a 48-year-old Indian-origin woman was charged with killing her 11-year-old son.
The woman, identified as Saritha Ramaraju, reportedly took her son on a three-day trip to Disneyland during a custody visit. However, after returning, she allegedly slit his throat, leading to his death. Following the horrific act, she is said to have attempted suicide by taking pills, but she survived.
Authorities have charged Ramaraju with one felony count of murder for taking her son’s life. She also faces an additional charge for using a knife as a deadly weapon.
According to a report by PTI, the incident happened while the child was in his mother’s custody. If found guilty of all charges, Ramaraju could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison, as stated by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
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Disneyland Murder Shocking Details
New chilling details have emerged in the case of Saritha Ramaraju, a 48-year-old Indian-origin woman accused of killing her 11-year-old son during a custody visit.
Ramaraju, who divorced her husband Prakash Raju in 2018 and moved out of California, was staying with her son at a motel in Santa Ana for the visit. She had purchased three-day Disneyland passes for the two of them.
However, instead of checking out of the motel on March 19 as planned, she made a disturbing 911 call at 9:12 AM. In the call, she confessed to slitting her son’s throat and attempting to take her own life by consuming pills.
According to an NBC report cited by PTI, Ramaraju had been involved in a custody dispute with her ex-husband since last year. She had accused him of making important decisions about their son’s medical care and education without her consent. She had also alleged that he had substance abuse issues.
Ramaraju now faces serious criminal charges, including one felony count of murder and an additional charge for using a knife as a deadly weapon. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison.
Police Discover Disneyland Souvenirs at the Crime Scene
When Santa Ana police arrived at the motel, they found a heartbreaking scene, an 11-year-old boy lying lifeless on the bed, surrounded by Disneyland souvenirs. Authorities believe the child had been dead for several hours before his mother, Saritha Ramaraju, made the 911 call confessing to the crime.
The young boy was supposed to be returned to his father that same day. However, instead of a routine custody exchange, police found a gruesome crime scene.
Investigators also recovered a large kitchen knife inside the motel room, which had been purchased just a day before the incident.
Ramaraju, who had ingested an unknown substance in an attempt to end her own life, was hospitalized. She was released from the hospital on Thursday and immediately taken into custody on suspicion of murdering her son.
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FAQs
Q.1. Who is Saritha Ramaraju?
Ans. Saritha Ramaraju is a 48-year-old Indian-origin woman accused of murdering her 11-year-old son during a custody visit after a Disneyland trip.
Q.2. What are the charges against Saritha Ramaraju?
Ans. She faces a felony murder charge and an additional felony count for using a knife as a deadly weapon.
Q.3. Where did the incident occur?
Ans. The murder took place in a motel room in Santa Ana, California, where Ramaraju was staying with her son.
Q.4. Why was Saritha Ramaraju in a custody battle?
Ans. Reports suggest she had disputes with her ex-husband over medical and educational decisions for their son.
Q.5. What is the possible sentence if she is convicted?
Ans. If found guilty on all charges, Ramaraju could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison.
