Southern California police arrested a mother after her 11-year-old son was found stabbed to death in a hotel room.
Saritha Ramaraju, 48, called 911 around 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, admitting she had stabbed her son.
Officers arrived at La Quinta Inn near John Wayne Airport and found the boy lifeless on the bed.
Bodycam footage shows a calm Ramaraju near the hotel doorway before police handcuff her.
She remained motionless as officers questioned her about what happened inside the room.
Grim Scene
A female officer noticed blood on Ramaraju’s hands while detaining her.
Another officer entered the room and discovered the horrifying scene.
Authorities located a murder weapon inside the hotel room.
Ramaraju informed police she had ingested an unknown substance.
She was rushed to a hospital, where her condition was reported as stable.
Legal Charges
Police charged Ramaraju with murder, child endangerment, torture, and aggravated mayhem.
Investigators are still searching for a motive behind the brutal killing.
Authorities confirmed that Ramaraju consumed over 20 Advil or Tylenol pills.
The Santa Ana Police Department continues to gather evidence in the case.
Officials are urging anyone with information to contact homicide detectives.
Custody Battle
Ramaraju and the child’s father divorced in January 2018.
The court granted the father full custody while giving Ramaraju visitation rights.
At the time of the murder, the boy was legally allowed to be with his mother.
The child, a student in the Irvine Unified School District, was set to reunite with his father that evening.
The custody agreement indicated Ramaraju wanted her son to live with her in Virginia.
Family Disputes
Ramaraju previously accused her ex-husband of breaking a holiday visitation promise.
She claimed he failed to allow their son to visit her for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Court records show the father pleaded guilty to DUI in 2023 and received probation.
He later stated he had been sober since the incident.
Their long-standing custody dispute contributed to tensions between both parents.
Ongoing Investigation
Homicide detectives are seeking additional witnesses to provide more details on the case.
Authorities have not yet determined the exact reason behind the killing.
Investigators are examining past legal battles between the parents for further insights.
Police encourage anyone with relevant information to reach out to authorities.
The case has shocked the community, raising concerns about custody-related crimes.
Contact Information
Police urge witnesses to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
Authorities emphasize the importance of community support in solving the case.
More details are expected to emerge as the investigation unfolds.
The case remains active, with detectives working to uncover the full story.
