A mother has been charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son following a family trip to Disneyland. The Santa Ana Police Department detailed the case in a news release, revealing that Saritha Ramaraju, 48, is facing serious charges.
Court records indicate that she has been charged with one count of murder and one count of using a deadly weapon. If found guilty on all counts, she could serve up to 26 years to life in prison.
On March 19, around 9:10 a.m., Saritha contacted the Santa Ana Police to report that she had stabbed and killed her son, Yatin Ramaraju, in their hotel room at La Quinta Inn & Suites. When officers arrived, they discovered the boy’s lifeless body on the bed, surrounded by souvenirs from Disneyland. Investigators also found a large kitchen knife at the scene, which Saritha had bought the day before.
It was reported that the boy had likely been dead for several hours before his mother called 911.
After making the call, Saritha told authorities that she took an unknown substance, leading to her hospitalization for suspected overdose. Following treatment, she was taken into custody at Santa Ana jail.
The incident occurred after a three-day Disneyland trip during a custody visitation. Saritha, who divorced Yatin’s father in 2018, was supposed to return her son to him on the same day he was found dead.
Currently, Saritha does not have a cash bond and remains detained at the Santa Ana jail, with her next court date set for April 17.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his sorrow over the case, stating that a child’s life should not be affected by parental conflict. He emphasized that anger can lead parents to forget their responsibilities and the love they should have for their children.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the case and are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the events surrounding this tragic incident. If you have any information, authorities encourage you to contact the Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section.
