Authorities are investigating a tragic murder scene at a Santa Ana hotel after a woman called 911 to tell police she had just killed her 11-year-old son. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on March 19, 2025.
A woman was taken into custody after her 11-year-old son was found dead with multiple stab wounds Wednesday in a Santa Ana hotel room, police said.
Officers found the child at the La Quinta Inn after responding at about 9:25 a.m. to a call from a woman who told police she killed her son, authorities said.
The 48-year-old woman was taken into custody and hospitalized after stating that she ingested what authorities described as an unknown substance.
"Our officers arrived shortly after 9:30. They took mom into custody immediately without incident," said Natalie Garcia, public information officer for the Santa Ana Police Department. "She stated that she had ingested some substance. She was transported to a local hospital. She’s in custody in stable condition."
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Police described the woman as calm and cooperative.
"Our officers then searched the room and, unfortunately, they found an 11-year-old boy with multiple stab wounds," Garcia said. "Our officers located a knife that they believe was the weapon used."
Witnesses at the hotel told NBCLA they heard banging, like someone hitting a wall and floor.
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"We heard a short yell, but that was it," said Alyssah Witherell, who was staying at the hotel.
Details about the woman's identity and what led to the stabbing were not immediately available.
