Prospero Serna: LA man charged with murder for fatally attacking his 2 children, leaving 'everyone' traumatized
LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA: Prospero Serna has been charged with murder and assault for allegedly beating his two young children to death.
The Los Angeles County Court made the ruling after he reportedly attacked all four children.
What were the charges against Prospero Serna?
The man is facing murder and assault charges over his violent outburst at their home in Lancaster on Saturday, November 4.
“Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Prospero Serna is charged with viciously attacking his three young children and murdering two of them in Lancaster,” the press release said.
“Two young lives were abruptly cut short in an astonishing act of brutality,” District Attorney Gascon said.
“This is a profoundly heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken our community to its core. Our hearts ache for the innocent lives lost and those who will have to live the rest of their lives reliving a nightmare," Gascon added.
He continued, “The loss of these young souls is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect the most vulnerable among us. I want to assure the community that we are committed to seeking justice for these children.”
Who were Ziasi and Najila?
The victims who lost their lives were identified by ABC News as Ziasia Serna, seven, and Najila, three. The other two children, who survived the attack, were found hiding in the home.
The official statement confirmed, “Prospero Guadalupe Serna is charged with two counts of murder; one count of attempted murder; two counts of assault of a child under eight years of age causing death; and one count of child abuse; including an alleged strike prior of having been convicted of a felony.”
“It is further alleged that Serna committed the multiple murder special circumstances, that he personally used a deadly weapon, and that he personally inflicted great bodily injury on a child,” it added.
The accused was arrested by deputies a few blocks away. Serna is expected to be held on no bail and “if convicted as charged, Serna will face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years determinate in prison.”
Lt Daniel Vizcarra of the LA County Sheriff’s Department told ABC News, “We don’t know where exactly the attack occurred, but they were all found in one bedroom."
“It’s extremely difficult. This is traumatizing for everybody who’s involved. All the deputies who responded, all the parties involved, the investigators. Everyone," he added.
He was arraigned on Wednesday, November 1, and ordered to be held without bail pending a return to court.
