'Unthinkable Violence,' Man Charged For Killing His 2-Month-Old: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A man was indicted on Thursday for the death of his two-month-old daughter last month, prosecutors said.

In speaking after the arraignment, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin lived in Inwood with his partner and their two children, a 14-month old boy and daughter Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios.

He was indicted on second-degree murder, Donnelly said. He remains remanded and is due back in court on May 6. If convicted, Rabanales-Pretzantzin faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Donnelly said that on the morning of March 7, when the baby's mother went to work, with the young son in the apartment, "the defendant allegedly subjected [the baby] to unthinkable violence."

The D.A. appeared to hold back tears as she detailed the alleged actions of Rabanales-Pretzantzin.

"When I first heard about what this baby endured in her final moments, as a human being I was sickened," she said. "And as a mother I am horrified, heartbroken and angry at how this child suffered."

According to Donnelly, the baby was crying when her father "snapped." He slapped the baby on the face and "punched her several times in the stomach and body," she said. "He picked her up and shook her violently."

The district attorney said the violent ordeal continued as he "dropped her from a standing position onto a bed and put his hands on her tiny chest and pressed his body weight on to her."

She said once the baby was no longer responsive, Rabanales-Pretzantzin went to a neighbor who called 911.

The two-month-old died at Cohen Children's Medical Center that day. The father initially told investigators that he had fallen asleep and accidentally dropped the baby on the floor. Donnelly said.

"But as the investigation unfolded, the little girl's injuries told a very different story, one of brutality, and cruelty," she said. "The child was handled with such force that her neck snapped."

Donnelly said the baby also had rib fractures. She said they found no evidence that the 14-month-old was abused or that anyone was called to the house for domestic violence or child abuse.

"It's a heartless act by a man who should have been a source of strength for his young family," Donnelly said.

She said it's not certain how the process will play out as Rabanales-Pretzantzin is in the U.S. illegally.

"He will be kept here in Nassau County and prosecuted for this to the fullest extent of the law," Donnelly said.

To avoid seeing a crime of this nature again, the D.A. has a plea for parents feeling overwhelmed.

"If you're home with a crying baby and you're getting to that moment where you don't know what to do, " Donnelly said. "I beg you. Put the baby down safely in a crib. Walk out of the room. Get yourself together and then continue to care for the child."