East LA Mother Sandra Chico Arrested For Murder In Deaths Of 3 Young Children
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A 28-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the deaths of her three biological children at a home in East Los Angeles, authorities said Tuesday.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 28-year-old Sandra Chico is accused of killing 4-year-old Mia Rodriguez, 3-year-old Mason Rodriguez and 1-month-old Milan Rodriguez.
"That little girl, she was really fun," the children's aunt Sandra Martinez said. "She was funny, playful. She would hug you, kiss you, run towards you. Words cannot explain how really the whole family feels."
"There was no forewarning of any kind," Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. "There was no repeated call for service. DCFS was not involved. There was no allegations of child abuse. This was out of the blue tragedy."
Deputies were initially called out to the home in the 600 block of Ferris Avenue at about 12:45 p.m. Monday for reports of two children who had stopped breathing.
When deputies arrived, they found the three children unresponsive in a bedroom. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Chico was taken into custody for questioning.
Officials did not immediately disclose the children's cause of death.
In Spanish, the children's grandmother said Chico had been suffering from depression and never left the home. On Tuesday, neighbors dropped off flowers at a growing memorial.
The family held a prayer service Tuesday night outside of the home to mourn the loss of the children and support the children's father. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover funeral costs for the children.
Chico was being held on $2 million bail. She is due in court Wednesday.