(Image: Chicago Police Department)
A Chicago mother, Marisol Vazquez, 37, faces charges of first-degree murder after confessing to strangling her one-year-old daughter, Lucia Vazquez, in a harrowing case that has left the community shaken.
The tragic incident occurred on December 20, 2024, in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, at a residence in the 500 block of North Springfield Avenue. Police arrived at the scene to find Marisol naked and sitting on a bed with Lucia lying unresponsive behind her, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures after discovering Lucia was cold and not breathing. Water is expelled from the infant’s mouth during resuscitation attempts. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
During their investigation, detectives discovered a bathtub filled with water and clogged with clothing. Marisol reportedly made bizarre statements, claiming she was trapped by electronics and asserting, “We had to go in the water. We had to be with nature.”
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, citing asphyxia as the primary cause. In a detention hearing on January 4, 2025, Marisol admitted to the crime, stating that “voices in her head” and the “devil” compelled her to kill her child, reports CBS News.
Court documents also revealed she exhibited suicidal tendencies, including an attempt to drown herself, which she abandoned in favor of self-harm. Following her arrest, Marisol was evaluated at a hospital for mental health issues.
Judge Susana Ortiz, presiding over the case, cited Marisol’s “significant mental health issues” and inability to control her impulses. The judge emphasized the need to restrict her access to dangerous items and ordered her continued detention until her next court appearance on January 7.
This tragedy has highlighted concerns about mental health and its role in domestic violence cases. Authorities are still piecing together the events leading to the horrific act. In a community already grappling with violence, this case has struck a chord.
“This is heartbreaking for everyone involved,” a neighbor said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. As the case proceeds, it underscores the critical need for mental health interventions and the challenges of preventing such devastating incidents.
