Yonkers couple pleads guilty in scalding deaths of boys

The couple charged with scalding two toddlers to death in a bathroom in July pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter and homicide charges. Luz Arroyo and David Maldonado Sr. admitted they were in a

News 12 Staff

May 29, 2014, 7:04 PM

Updated 3,711 days ago

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The couple charged with scalding two toddlers to death in a bathroom in July pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter and homicide charges.
Luz Arroyo and David Maldonado Sr. admitted they were in a drug-induced stupor while Elijaha Santana and his half brother, David Maldonado Jr., burned to death in a scalding bathtub. Arroyo, the mother of both boys, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of criminally negligent homicide. Maldonado, father of one of the boys, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of second-degree manslaughter and one of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Police say Maldanado locked 2-year-old Elijah and 20-month-old David in the bathroom, turned on the hot water in the tub and passed out to sleep off a drug binge. Arroyo was also sleeping after doing drugs. Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore said that the couple failed in their obligations as parents.
The parents were being investigated by the Westchester Department of Social Services (DSS) at the time. The incident brought criticism and changes at DSS.
Related stories Yonkers couple accused in scalding deaths of children arraigned Couple arrested after Yonkers children apparently scalded to death in bathtub


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