Lillian Alvarado Indicted in 2013 Infant Son Murder

Washington, D.C. — Lillian Alvarado, 24, is facing life in prison after a grand jury indicted her on murder and child cruelty charges tied to the gruesome 2013 death of her newborn son. The charges, announced today by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, include first-degree premeditated murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, first-degree felony murder while armed, and first-degree cruelty to children. The infant was born alive in a bathtub, then strangled, drowned, and dismembered, according to the government’s evidence.

Alvarado, who lived in the 6000 block of 14th Street NW, had concealed her pregnancy from her family. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013, she delivered the baby alone in the family apartment’s bathtub. Instead of seeking help, prosecutors allege she launched a violent attack on the infant—strangling him, attempting to drown him, and ultimately cutting off his legs. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death was asphyxiation and dismemberment. Authorities say Alvarado then tried to hide the evidence.

The crime came to light only when bloody water began seeping through the ceiling of the apartment below. Responding officers initially believed they were dealing with a plumbing issue. With help from Alvarado’s own family, they entered the bathroom and found the infant’s body in the tub. The scene shocked even veteran investigators, one law enforcement source said, calling it one of the most disturbing cases they’ve encountered in years.

Alvarado was arrested in January 2014 by the Metropolitan Police Department and has remained in custody without bond ever since. Now, after nearly three years of investigation and legal preparation, the case moves toward trial. She is scheduled to be arraigned on November 4, 2016, before the Honorable Milton C. Lee. No trial date has been set.

The indictment alleges aggravating circumstances, including that the crime was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. If convicted on the most serious counts, Alvarado faces life in prison with no possibility of release. Prosecutors stress that while the indictment is a major step, it is not a finding of guilt—Alvarado is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

U.S. Attorney Phillips praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department and key figures from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Coleman, Colleen Kennedy, Cynthia Walicki-Chan, and Michael Tomaselli. Victim/Witness Specialist Marcia Rinker and Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney and Cynthia Mohammed also contributed, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia G. Wright leading the prosecution. The case remains under active investigation.