Mom Kills Son After Magical Disneyland Vacation, Police Find Shocking Scene

A California mother, Saritha Ramaraju, has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly slitting the throat of her 11-year-old son, Yatin, following a trip to Disneyland. The tragic incident unfolded at a Santa Ana hotel, where Ramaraju and her son had been staying for several days.

The Shocking Incident

On March 19, 2025, Ramaraju made a desperate call to Santa Ana police around 9:10 a.m., admitting to killing her son and claiming she had also tried to end her own life by ingesting pills. Police officers rushed to the La Quinta Inn & Suites, where they found Yatin’s body on a bed, surrounded by souvenirs from the Disneyland trip they had taken just days earlier. A large kitchen knife was found at the scene, which authorities believe was used in the horrific attack.

The Family’s History

Ramaraju had been living with her son at the hotel for the past two weeks, and the trip to Disneyland was part of a planned custody exchange. Following a divorce in 2018, Yatin primarily lived with his father, Prakash Ramaraju, but this visit was set to mark his return to his dad after spending time with his mother. Tragically, that reunion never happened.

Murder Charges and Legal Proceedings

Saritha Ramaraju now faces charges of murder and personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, she could face a minimum of 26 years in prison. During her court appearance, Ramaraju was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 17, 2025, for further legal proceedings.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the act, calling it a deeply tragic event. “The safest place for a child should be in their parents’ arms. Instead, she chose to take the life of her son in the most violent way imaginable,” Spitzer stated.

Community Reaction

The community has been left reeling from the shocking crime, as many struggle to understand how a mother could commit such an unthinkable act against her child. The case has drawn attention to the devastating consequences of unresolved family conflict and the extreme emotional toll it can take on parents and children alike.

The Road Ahead

As the legal process unfolds, the tragic loss of a young life and the heartbreak of a father left to mourn his son are front and center in this case. Authorities and the public are left questioning how a family trip to Disneyland could end in such a horrifying tragedy.