New York

1-Year-Old Twins Found Seriously Hurt in NYC Home, 1 Dies; Mother Questioned: NYPD

1-year-old Elaina Torabi died from her injuries at an area hospital, police said

What to Know

  • One-year-old twins were found with severe body trauma late Wednesday inside their Queens home, police say
  • Elaina Torabi died at a hospital and her brother remains in critical condition, but police say he is likely to survive his injuries
  • The children's mother has been taken in for questioning after the young children were found injured inside the Auburndale home

UPDATE: Mom Arraigned as Disturbing Details of Twin Toddler Injuries Emerge

One-year-old twins were found seriously injured inside a Queens home late Wednesday, one of whom ended up dying, and their 30-year-old mother now faces charges, police say.

Three other girls, ages 2, 4, and 5, were also inside the house on Ashby Avenue in Auburndale where the babies were found with severe body trauma around 10 p.m., according to the NYPD. The three others were not hurt, but were taken to an area hospital as a precaution. They are in ACS custody.

The injured babies were taken to two area hospitals, police said. It was there where the girl, identified as Elaina Torabi of Queens, died from her injuries.

The girl had a puncture wound laceration to the back of her head, and a laceration to her stomach, as well as cigarette burns, law enforcement sources said. 

The boy, whose name was not made public, remains in the hospital in critical condition, said police, who added he will likely survive. He had bruises to his pelvis, broken ribs and suffered from dehydration, according to law enforcement sources.

The mother of all five children was taken in for questioning by authorities, and later charged with 1st-degree assault related to the boy's injuries. Police say the father of the children does not live at the home and shows up there intermittently. It's not clear if the family had history with police or children's services. 

Early Thursday, police tape was seen surrounding the house near Utopia Parkway while an officer stood guard at the front door.

"I cannot imagine in my wildest imagination who did it, and I am shocked by this," neighbor Judanna Cavallo told News 4 New York. 

"They were always well-kept, beautiful children, and if I had ever noticed the slightest thing amiss, I would have been the first one to say something," she said.  

A medical examiner will determine Elaina’s cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.

Contact Us