Could a trip to Disneyland, meant to create cherished memories, tragically become the backdrop for an unspeakable act? The case of Saritha Ramaraju, a 48-year-old woman from Irvine, California, casts a dark shadow over the joy of family vacations, as she now faces charges of murder in connection with the death of her son, Yatin Ramaraju.
The details emerging from the investigation paint a grim picture. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, on the morning of March 19th, a call was received from Saritha Ramaraju herself. The call, a confession, detailed a horrific act that had occurred within the walls of a La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana. She stated that she had stabbed and killed her son, Yatin, and had also ingested an unknown substance in an apparent attempt to end her own life. Authorities quickly responded to the scene, where they discovered the lifeless body of Yatin Ramaraju. The Orange County District Attorney's Office has since confirmed that Saritha Ramaraju has been charged with one count of murder and one count of personally using a deadly weapon. The use of a knife has also led to a felony enhancement.
The incident unfolded during a custody visit, adding another layer of complexity to this already tragic story. Saritha Ramaraju and her son had reportedly spent three days at Disneyland before the events at the hotel. Following the divorce in January 2018, Ramaraju was granted visitation rights while the father, Prakash Raju, was awarded custody of Yatin. Court records revealed that Ramaraju had been residing in Fairfax, Virginia, and had expressed a desire for her son to live with her. Bodycam footage obtained by Law & Crime depicts Ramaraju's arrest at the La Quinta Inn, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saritha Ramaraju |
| Age | 48 years old (at the time of the incident) |
| Location (at the time of the incident) | Irvine, California, staying at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana |
| Marital Status | Divorced (divorced in January 2018) |
| Son | Yatin Ramaraju (deceased) |
| Alleged Crime | Murder, use of a deadly weapon (knife) |
| Charges | One count of murder, one count of personally using a deadly weapon, felony enhancement for use of a knife. |
| Custody Arrangement | Visitation rights after divorce, father Prakash Raju granted custody |
| Legal Status | Facing charges, released from hospital on Thursday, March 20 and arrested on suspicion of murder, torture, child endangerment, and aggravated mayhem |
| Possible Sentence | Maximum sentence of 26 years to life if convicted on all charges |
| Known Residence | Irvine, California (at the time of the incident), previously lived in Fairfax, Virginia |
| Incident Location | La Quinta Inn & Suites, 2721 Hotel Terrace, Santa Ana, California |
| Date of Incident | March 19th |
| Reference | Example Website for Reference (Replace with actual website) |
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