An illegal immigrant from Guatemala has been arrested in New York for allegedly killing his two-month-old daughter. Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20, was taken into custody on March 7 and is being held at the Nassau County Jail without bail. Authorities said he admitted to the crime.
Rabanales-Pretzantzin has been charged with second-degree murder after police found Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios dead in a home on Maple Road. The infant had multiple injuries, including broken bones and abrasions. Initially, first responders were told she had fallen off a bed, but investigators later determined she had been brutally attacked.
According to court documents, Rabanales-Pretzantzin repeatedly struck the child, shook her, and threw her. He reportedly admitted to police that he attacked the baby because he didn’t want her. An autopsy revealed older rib fractures, suggesting previous abuse. A one-year-old child was removed from the home for evaluation.
Rabanales-Pretzantzin illegally entered the U.S. through El Paso, Texas, in 2022. He was detained by immigration authorities but later released pending an immigration hearing. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder criticized lax border policies, stating, “Enough is enough,” and calling for stronger immigration enforcement.
Authorities confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Rabanales-Pretzantzin. He was arraigned on Thursday and pleaded not guilty.
Local officials and community members have expressed outrage over the case, calling for stricter immigration enforcement to prevent similar tragedies. Nassau County authorities emphasized the need for better vetting processes and accountability in handling illegal border crossings. Many are now urging lawmakers to take immediate action to address gaps in the immigration system that allow individuals with pending cases to move freely across the country.
