Chicago Mother Charged with Murder After Allegedly Drowning Daughter, Claims Voices Led to Killing
A 37-year-old Chicago woman, Marisol Vazquez, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing her 21-month-old daughter, Lucia, on December 20. The tragic incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time, according to reports from NBC 5, CBS News, and The Chicago Tribune.
According to a police report obtained by CBS News, authorities found Vazquez naked on a bed with her daughter behind her. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the child, who was not breathing. When they did, water came out of the child’s mouth, suggesting she may have drowned. Police also discovered water and clothing in a nearby bathtub. Lucia was later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Vazquez was initially incoherent when questioned by detectives, reportedly making bizarre statements about being “trapped by electronics” and claiming that “everyone has been raped.” She allegedly told authorities, “We had to go in the water. We had to be with nature.”
After being evaluated at Ascension St. Mary Hospital for mental health issues, Vazquez was arrested on January 2. During her interrogation, she reportedly confessed to suffocating Lucia with a bedsheet. Vazquez also claimed that “voices in her head” told her she needed to kill herself and her daughter to prevent the devil from harming her child.
Further investigation revealed that Vazquez had told her sister about the killing, advising her not to call the police. Authorities also learned that Vazquez had attempted to drown herself but was unsuccessful and later tried to cut herself.
Currently detained at the Cook County Jail, Vazquez appeared in court on January 4, where she was formally charged with murder. She is set to return to court on January 7. It is unclear if she has legal representation or if her defense team will offer any comments regarding the case.
