Introduction to the Case
A 48-year-old woman was charged Friday with fatally stabbing her 11-year-old son in Santa Ana.
Saritha Ramaraju was charged with one count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon and was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana. Her last known address was in Irvine, police said, but according to recent court documents in her custody battle for the child she had been living in Virginia.
The Incident
Ramaraju called police at about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday from the La Quinta Inn at 2721 Hotel Terrace, near the 55 Freeway, according to Officer Natalie Garcia of the Santa Ana Police Department. The mother allegedly reported that she killed her son, Yatin Ramaraju, and then said she had taken some drugs, which prompted police to take her to a hospital where she was treated and released and booked on suspicion of murder, Garcia said.
Investigation and Findings
Officers went inside the room and found a boy suffering from multiple stab wounds, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the woman had been staying at the motel for the past couple of weeks. Yatin was a student at one point in the Irvine Unified School District, his father said in court papers. Irvine Unified officials say he was most recently a student in Tustin Unified School District.
Custody Battle
Ramaraju had been in a custody battle with the boy’s father, Prakash Raju, since last year, when she accused him of making medical and school decisions without her input and alleged he had substance abuse issues. Raju pleaded guilty June 21, 2023, to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08% or more, both misdemeanors, and was placed on three years of informal probation.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
Raju’s blood-alcohol level when he was arrested Sept. 4, 2022, was .25, more than three times the legal limit, according to the criminal complaint. Raju had filed a motion requesting early release from the terms of probation as well as dismissal of his conviction, which was denied Feb. 7. Ramaraju accused her ex-husband of a “history of substance abuse issues” and added he “gets very aggressive under the influence of alcohol, drugs and smoke.” She accused him of having “severe control issues” and said their son “is very scared to talk to mother as he’ll get into trouble with dad.”
Court Proceedings
The couple divorced in January 2018 and the father was granted custody, with the mother receiving visitation, according to court records. After Ramaraju filed a motion seeking custody of their son late last year, they were ordered to go to mediation. The mother was living in Fairfax, Virginia, and wanted her son to live with her, according to court papers filed in November.
Conclusion
The case of Saritha Ramaraju charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son Yatin Ramaraju is a tragic and complex one, involving a custody battle and allegations of substance abuse and neglect. The community is left to grapple with the circumstances surrounding the death of a young boy, and the legal system will ultimately decide the fate of the mother accused of his murder.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Saritha Ramaraju?
A: Saritha Ramaraju is a 48-year-old woman charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son, Yatin Ramaraju. - Q: Where did the incident occur?
A: The incident occurred at the La Quinta Inn in Santa Ana, California. - Q: What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Yatin Ramaraju?
A: Yatin Ramaraju was found with multiple stab wounds in a motel room, and his mother, Saritha Ramaraju, was arrested and charged with his murder. - Q: Was there a custody battle involved?
A: Yes, Saritha Ramaraju and the boy’s father, Prakash Raju, were involved in a custody battle, with allegations of substance abuse and neglect made by both parties. - Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: Saritha Ramaraju has been charged with one count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon and is awaiting arraignment.
