An Inwood man pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering his two-month-old daughter in March 2025.
On March 7, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Marlon Rabanales Pretzantzin, alone at home with his 14-month-old son and two-month-old daughter, Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios, slapped the infant in the face, punched her in the stomach repeatedly, and picked her up and shook her violently.
Pretzantzin also dropped the child from a standing position onto a bed and pressed his body weight into the child, pushing her down. After the child became unresponsive, the defendant took her to a neighboring apartment. The neighbor called 911 and emergency services responded to the residence.
The child was taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital and later to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She suffered contusions to the head, several rib fractures, severe hemorrhaging in the neck area, and a dislocated C5 and C6 vertebrae.
Pretzantzin, 21, was arrested on March 12, 2025, by members of the Nassau County Police Department. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2026, before Judge Robert Schwartz to Murder in the Second Degree (a Class A-I felony).
“The familiar cries of a newborn are an ordinary part of early parenthood, but this defendant wanted his 2-month-old to stop by whatever means necessary, including violence,” said Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly. “Little Liseyda was mercilessly beaten by her own father, who dislocated her neck during his onslaught, leading to her death. This is a horrific and inexcusable crime. It is also a reminder of the devastation that can happen when a new parent loses control.”
“Frustration is normal; violence is not,” Donnelly continued. “I again urge anyone who may be feeling angry when dealing with their young child to stop, put the child down safely, and find a place to cool down.”
Pretzantzin is due back in court on May 7, 2026, and is expected to be sentenced to a period of incarceration of up to 21 years to life. The Nassau County District Attorney’s office recommended a sentence of 24 years to life in prison.