An Indian-origin mother has been accused of murder after allegedly killing her 11-year-old son following a trip to Disneyland in California. The incident occurred during a custody visit, bringing attention to a prolonged custody dispute lasting over a year.
Saritha Ramaraju, 48, is charged with one count of murder and an additional felony charge for the use of a weapon after allegedly slitting the throat of her son, Yatin Ramaraju.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office stated that if convicted on all charges, Ramaraju could face a prison sentence ranging from 26 years to life.
The event happened on March 19 at a La Quinta Inn in Santa Ana, California, where Ramaraju stayed with her son during the custody visit. That morning, at about 9:12 a.m., Ramaraju contacted 911, admitting to killing her son and ingesting pills in an attempted suicide.
Upon arrival, Santa Ana police discovered the boy’s body on the bed, surrounded by items from their Disneyland trip. Investigators believe the child had been deceased for several hours before Ramaraju reached out to authorities.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated, “A child’s well-being should never be jeopardized by the hostility between parents whose resentment toward one another overshadows their care and love for their child.”
Spitzer further noted, “Anger can drive a person to lose sight of those they cherish and the responsibilities they hold.”
A large kitchen knife, which prosecutors identified as the murder weapon, was found in the motel room. The district attorney’s office indicated that Ramaraju purchased the knife the day before the incident.
Court documents show that Ramaraju and her ex-husband, Prakash Raju, divorced in 2018. Following the divorce, Raju obtained custody of their son, while Ramaraju was granted visitation rights. The killing occurred on the day she was supposed to return her son to his father.
The couple’s custody battle had intensified over the past year. Ramaraju, who relocated to Fairfax, Virginia, after the divorce, sought custody of her son, alleging that her ex-husband made decisions regarding their son’s medical and educational needs without her input. She also accused him of substance abuse, which allegedly made him “very aggressive under the influence of alcohol, drugs and smoke.”
Ramaraju claimed her son was “very scared to talk to mother as he will get into trouble with dad,” and accused her ex-husband of “severe control issues.”
Prakash Raju denied these allegations, describing them as “completely false and untrue abuse and substance abuse issues.”
Ramaraju had obtained three-day Disneyland passes for herself and her son as part of their custody visit. Souvenirs from the trip were found near the boy’s body.
After admitting to the killing in the 911 call, Ramaraju was taken to a hospital for treatment after ingesting an unknown substance, suspected to be a suicide attempt. She was released from the hospital on March 20 and was promptly arrested for her alleged involvement in her son’s death.
According to court records, Ramaraju’s next court appearance is set for April 17. She is currently detained without bail.
As more details emerge, the case has had a significant impact on the local Santa Ana community and the broader Indian-American community.
