East New York mother indicted in drowning death of 6-year-old daughter: DA

An East New York mother has been indicted in connection with the death of her 6-year-old daughter, who was found unresponsive in a bathtub last month, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Wednesday.

Karla Espinal, 26, appeared before Brooklyn Supreme Court before Justice Donald Leo on March 12 to face charges of second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors allege that Espinal submerged her daughter, Madeline, underwater in a bathtub. Emergency responders were called to Espinal’s Elton Street home around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 following a 911 call from the child’s father.

The father arrived home to find his daughter unresponsive in the bathtub with Espinal nearby, officials said. The child was transported to Brookdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:42 p.m.

DA Gonzalez said the case could be superseded once the Medical Examiner completes its investigation and determines the final cause and manner of Madeline’s death.

“This innocent child had her whole life ahead of her when the person she depended on allegedly drowned her in a bathtub,” Gonzalez said. “This is a distressing and unspeakable case, which we continue to investigate to ensure that this defendant is held fully accountable. My thoughts are with the child’s heartbroken father and other family members at this time.”

Following the incident, police took Espinal to a station house for questioning before charging her with felony assault, child endangerment, and reckless endangerment. At her March 12 court appearance, she was ordered held without bail. Espinal is due back in court on May 15.