INWOOD, NY – A tragic incident has shaken the community of Inwood, New York, as a young father faces serious charges following the death of his two-month-old daughter. Marlon Rabanales, 20, is charged with second-degree murder, accused of inflicting fatal injuries on the infant in a shocking case of domestic abuse.
Authorities report that Rabanales admitted to the brutal assault, which included punching, slapping, and violently shaking the baby before throwing her onto a bed. The young girl, named Lozada, was one of the first babies born in the area for the new year, arriving just 30 minutes into 2025.
The abuse reportedly took place at a residence on Maple Road in Inwood. Initially, first responders were misled to believe the baby had fallen off the bed, but Rabanales later confessed to the assault, allegedly motivated by doubts about his paternity.
Medical examinations revealed severe injuries, including cervical spine damage, subcranial bleeding, and fractured ribs. The extent of the injuries indicates ongoing abuse, with some ribs showing signs of older, healing fractures. These findings paint a grim picture of the violence the infant endured in her short life.
A one-year-old boy was also removed from the home for evaluation, ensuring his safety in the wake of this tragedy. Rabanales, originally from Guatemala, is undocumented and had been awaiting an immigration hearing after entering the U.S. through El Paso, Texas, in 2022.
Local authorities have expressed outrage and sorrow over the incident, emphasizing that Rabanales should not have been in a position to harm the child. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has been placed on him, and his deportation status will be determined following the legal proceedings related to the murder charge.
During his arraignment, Rabanales pleaded not guilty. His attorney noted his young age but acknowledged the gravity of the loss suffered by the family and community. Meanwhile, investigators have found no evidence implicating the child’s mother in the abuse.
This case highlights the urgent need for awareness and intervention in situations of domestic violence, particularly involving vulnerable children. The community mourns the loss of a life that had barely begun, as calls for justice and prevention grow louder.