Man Charged With Murdering Wandering Girl's Mom

FNC ^ | October 01, 2005

[Kaslin]

NEW YORK — A Queens man was charged Saturday with murdering his live-in girlfriend during a fight in their apartment, the latest twist in a weeklong mystery that began when the slain woman's 4-year-old daughter was found wandering barefoot and alone in the middle of the night, authorities said.

Cesar Ascarrunz (search), 32, was arrested on murder charges two days after he was picked up by investigators, police said. The defendant allegedly confessed to the crime, and acknowledged putting his girlfriend's body into a trash bag and dumping it on a corner in Queens.

Police were still searching Saturday for the remains of Monica Lozada (search), 26, who was last seen alive on Sept. 24.

Investigators were led to Ascarrunz by a dozen tips that came in from the public after 4-year-old Valerie Lozada (search) appeared on television Thursday, describing her mother as looking "like a princess." The little girl remained in a foster home Saturday.

"This child has captured the hearts of all New Yorkers," said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown (search). "I hope she can grow up to lead a normal life."

[Kaslin]

Picture of the little girl

[Suzy Quzy]

He should be hanged just for leaving the little girl out on the street.

[CyberAnt]

She is just adorable. She reminds me a lot of my oldest grandchild when she was that age.

[maro]

Looks like he picked a relatively nice neighborhood. I'm not defending the guy, but at least he didn't actively harm that poor kid. (Of course, when she is understands that "Daddy" killed Mommy, she'll be screwed up enough.)

[Kaslin]

Isn't she?

[Kaslin]

Indeed

[Kaslin]

According to FOX news the real dad is in Bolivia

[snugs]

From what I understand he is not her daddy and had only been with the mother for 3 months.

Hopefully she will not remember too much of him but obviously when she does realise what has happened to her mother she will be traumatized.

The reporting on FNC said that she spoke English and Spanish fluently and was very advanced in social skills such as dressing, cleaning her teeth and washing in the morning. From this she obviously was well cared for one wonders how the mother got involved with a man that would do this.

[Kimmers]

I would hope all of us would offer prayers for this sweet child....

[snugs]

She is a lovely looking girl I hope she gets put into a loving caring foster home

[snugs]

Amen to that

[march violet]

He probably panicked when he realized that he had either to kill the little girl who would tie him to his crime or else he would be sunk. Now he'll be going away for a LONG time. No death penalty in NY State, unfortunately.

[cripplecreek]

Did you happen to catch the interview Greta had with a man who claimed to have been kidnapped with an older woman who's still missing? The guy told a really unbelievable and bizarre story. Personally I suspect that he will end up being charged at some point.

Ive been looking for more info but the archives for Gretas show haven't been updated.

[march violet]

I hope that she has other relatives, or that her real father will take her.

[LibWhacker]

Thank God some decent people found her.

[snugs]

Indeed anything could have happened to her just being abandoned in the street

[snugs]

I belive her father and grandmother is in Bolivia and have not heard of any other relatives in the US

[DJ MacWoW]

There was an article posted earlier that had a pic of her Mom and more info. She was pretty. I searched but haven't found it. The guy hadn't been arrested yet.

[alisasny]

The little darling even had a manicure. Very well taken care of child except for the latest choice her deceased mother made in a boyfriend.

[Kaslin]

Yes I did, she even showed the picture of the woman and it was in TN. I haven't heard anything else. The man is the supposedly the son of the boyfriend she's been living with if I am not mistaken