Indian-Origin Woman Arrested for Killing Son After Disneyland Trip

A 48-year-old Indian-origin woman, Saritha Ramaraju, has been arrested on charges of killing her 11-year-old son in a hotel room following a three-day trip to Disneyland in California.

According to the Santa Ana Police Department, officers received a distress call from Ramaraju on March 19, in which she reported that she had fatally stabbed her son and ingested an unknown substance. Upon arriving at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana, police discovered the boy’s body surrounded by Disneyland souvenirs.

Medical personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene, while Ramaraju was treated at a hospital before being discharged and taken into custody on March 21. Authorities recovered a large kitchen knife believed to have been used in the crime.

Ramaraju has been charged with murder, child endangerment, torture, and aggravated mayhem. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison. She has not yet entered a plea.

Investigators believe the tragic incident occurred hours before Ramaraju contacted the police. Reports indicate that she had legal custody of her son and was required to return him to his father on the day of the alleged crime. The parents had been divorced since 2018.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the incident, stating, “A child’s safest place should be in their parents’ arms. Instead, this young boy’s life was tragically taken. No child’s well-being should suffer due to parental conflicts.”

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the tragic event. Ramaraju remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.