Mother charged with murder for killing twin babies in Bronx five years ago; held without bail.

A mother has been ordered to be held without bail following an indictment for the first-degree murder of her twin newborns, whose bodies were discovered behind a Bronx building nearly five years ago. Stephanie Castillo, 36, has been hospitalized since her arrest on July 25, 2025, and appeared via video link for her arraignment before Judge Anna Mikhaleva at Bronx Criminal Court on July 27, 2025.

During the hearing, Castillo, dressed in a yellow hospital gown, did not speak. Her legal representatives informed the court that she is experiencing severe anxiety and should be placed under suicide watch. Castillo is scheduled for another hearing on September 10, facing charges that include first-degree murder as well as second-degree murder and manslaughter in relation to her twin sons’ deaths.

The tragic discovery of the infants was made on November 9, 2020, when a building superintendent at 1460 College Avenue found the babies’ remains. An autopsy confirmed that both children were born alive and had succumbed to blunt force trauma to the head and spine approximately 12 hours prior to their discovery. Investigators determined the cause of death through DNA evidence collected from tissues found with the bodies, linking them to Castillo, who was living nearby at the time.

Authorities reported that Castillo concealed her pregnancy from her parents, complicating the investigation. Despite their efforts over the years, including increasing a reward for information leading to her arrest from ,500 to ,000, Castillo remained elusive. Investigators examined surveillance footage and questioned residents in her apartment building without success.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark expressed the profound impact of this case on the community, stating that the “tragic killing and callous abandonment” of the twins have left a lasting sting within the Bronx. As no one claimed the infants, the NYPD named the boys Zeke and Zane and arranged for their funeral. This case has remained a critical focus for law enforcement, with detectives holding annual memorials for the twins, underscoring the emotional toll this case has had on those involved.

Castillo was eventually traced through familial DNA evidence found in the criminal justice database, which confirmed her as the mother. When arrested, she was residing in a shelter approximately one mile from the site of the tragic incident.

The ongoing legal proceedings in this case are being closely monitored by the community, reflecting deep concerns about child welfare and the tragic loss of innocent lives.