Justice After Silence: Bronx Mother Stephanie Castillo Arrested for 2020 Deaths of Twin Newborn Sons
New York City is reeling as long-awaited justice arrives in a haunting case that gripped the Bronx five years ago. Stephanie Castillo, 36, has been arrested and charged with the murder of her twin newborn sons, Zeke and Zane, who were found discarded like trash in a Bronx alleyway in 2020.
The twins, born just hours before their deaths, were discovered behind a building on College Avenue in the Bronx—one partially wrapped in a pet training pad, showing signs of head trauma and an umbilical cord around his neck. The other was found inside a black plastic bag with no visible injuries. The New York City Medical Examiner later confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma. Neither child lived beyond their first day of life.
The horrific discovery shocked the city. The NYPD named the infants Zeke and Zane, vowing that they would not be forgotten, even if they remained unidentified. Despite their commitment, the case remained unsolved for five painful years.
DNA Breakthrough Reopens Cold Case and Brings Long-Awaited Charges
The chilling silence finally broke thanks to forensic science. Investigators leveraged genetic genealogy, a tool increasingly vital in unsolved crimes. A relative of Castillo appeared in a genealogical DNA database, triggering a breakthrough. Detectives retrieved a discarded drink container from Castillo, and when tested, her DNA matched the genetic material collected from the crime scene.
The match was conclusive — and damning.
Stephanie Castillo has now been charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as manslaughter, in connection with the deaths of her sons. The details remain difficult to comprehend: How could a mother carry two children for nine months, only to end their lives so violently?
Authorities haven’t yet released the full motive, but the gravity of the charges makes one thing clear — this was no accident. As the case proceeds through the courts, many are left asking how such a tragedy could go undetected for so long. What signs were missed? Could Zeke and Zane have been saved?
City leaders and child welfare advocates are now calling for more support systems for at-risk mothers and better interventions to prevent infant deaths. “This case is a heartbreaking reminder of how vulnerable the youngest lives can be,” said one advocate, “and how important it is to never give up on seeking justice — no matter how long it takes.”
