Mother Accused of Killing Twin Newborns and Abandoning Them in the Bronx

A woman from the Bronx has been charged with the murders of her twin infants, whose bodies were left in a filthy alley in 2020. Law enforcement officials announced her arrest after genetic tests confirmed her involvement in the disturbing case.

Stephanie Castillo, 36, was taken into custody on Friday after DNA analysis linked her to the infants found behind a building on College Avenue. She is the biological mother of the twins.

The infants, who were less than a day old, were discovered in November 2020. One was partially covered with a pet training pad and showed signs of head trauma, with the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. The other was found about 20 feet away, entangled in a black plastic bag, but appeared to have no visible injuries.

Authorities identified the babies as Zeke and Zane and later arranged a funeral to honor their short lives. The NYPD, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, arrested Castillo near her residence, where she had recently moved into a shelter.

The woman faces multiple charges, including first- and second-degree murder, murder with intent, and manslaughter, for both infants’ deaths. Investigators described the case as unprecedented, noting the brutal nature of the crimes and the heavy burden it placed on all involved.

Law enforcement emphasized the tragic circumstances, with one detective remarking on the case’s rarity and the profound impact it had on the officers working the investigation.