NASSAU COUNTY, NY – A two-month-old infant girl died following an alleged attack by her father, Nassau County officials said. The tragic incident unfolded within the family’s home in Inwood, with the father now facing murder charges.
Authorities discovered the infant, identified as Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios, suffering from severe head injuries on March 7 at a Maple Road residence. Her father, 20-year-old Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Initially, emergency responders were informed that the baby had rolled off a bed, resulting in her unconsciousness. However, police report that Rabanales-Pretzantzin later confessed to violently attacking the child. He admitted to striking her head and face and throwing her to the ground due to doubts about his paternity.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder expressed outrage over the admission, stating the father said he did not “respect or want the child.” The child’s injuries included extensive cervical spine damage, subcranial bleeding, fractured ribs, and facial abrasions, according to officials.
Court documents outline the severity of the infant’s abuse, detailing acts of slapping, punching, and violently shaking her. Rabanales-Pretzantzin allegedly threw the child onto a bed and pressed his weight against her chest.
It remains unclear how long the abuse spanned, but Liseyda was born just over two months ago. Authorities removed a one-year-old from the residence to assess potential abuse.
Commissioner Ryder stated, “The baby had several severe injuries not consistent with the original story provided.” Liseyda was born in the early hours of January 2025 at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, marking her as one of the New Year’s firstborns.
There is no evidence implicating the infant’s mother, also 20, in the abuse. Rabanales-Pretzantzin, who hails from Guatemala, entered the U.S. through El Paso, Texas, in 2022 and awaited immigration proceedings after being detained and released by officials.
In response to the incident, an ICE detainer has been placed on Rabanales-Pretzantzin, pending the outcome of his trial. Whether he faces deportation will be decided following his legal proceedings for second-degree murder. He has entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment.
His attorney acknowledged the complexity of the situation, describing Rabanales-Pretzantzin as young and noting the deep sorrow surrounding the infant’s death. The defense plans to investigate further disclosures from the accused.