You are reading

Flushing Toddler’s 2018 Death After Allegedly Being Beat by Mother Ruled a Homicide

171-15 Asbury Ave., where Elaina and Kian Torabi lived and were allegedly beaten by their mother, Tina. Elaina died on Oct. 3 after an alleged beating. (Google Maps)

March 5, 2019 Staff Report

The death of a one-year-old Flushing girl who died in late 2018 after her mother allegedly beat her and her twin brother has been ruled a homicide, according to the city medical examiner’s office.

Elaina Torabi, who was 13-months-old when she was found unconscious on Oct. 3, died from fatal child abuse syndrome, the ME said today. She and her brother, Kian, were allegedly beat by their mother, 30-year-old Tina Torabi, who was charged with first degree assault at the time.

“The term ‘fatal child abuse syndrome’ is used when a child sustains injuries over a period of time,” said Dr. Barbara Sampson, chief medical examiner.

The Queens District Attorney’s office said Tina called 9-1-1 on Oct. 3 to ask for assistance for Elaina, who was found unconscious, at the family’s Ashby Avenue home.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and took Elaina and her mother to Flushing Hospital Medical Center, where Elaina was pronounced dead.

Emergency responders who remained at the residence then saw that Kian, who survived, was covered with scratches and bruises “in various stages of healing” all over his body.
A pediatric specialist at the hospital found that Kian had multiple rib fractures, contusions on his lungs, and acute fractured pelvis, a visible but healing bite mark, an acute left spinal tibia fracture and an adrenal hemorrhage.

Charges relating to the death of Elaina were pending at the time until the medical examiner’s report was released.

It is unclear what the homicide finding will mean for Tina, who already faces up to 25 years in prison for her alleged assault of Kian. But Kian’s injuries, and the ME’s findings may point to sustained abuse.

“The defendant’s alleged actions are incomprehensible,” said Queens DA Richard Brown at the time. “Unfortunately, her 13-month-old son suffered greatly in his short life.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Brenda

In few instances do I advocate for the death penalty — but this brutal and cruel piece of trash needs to go to her maker. But only after she has these same injuries inflicted on her over 13 months.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Jamaica man sentenced to life for brutal triple murder of girlfriend, her son and cousin in 2022: DA

A Jamaica man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Queens Supreme Court on Friday for the 2022 murders of his girlfriend, her son, and her cousin.

Travis Blake, 31, of 155th Street, was convicted by a jury last month of first-degree murder and other counts for the triple slaying in June 2022. The bodies of his victims were discovered with an array of puncture and blunt force wounds in a state of decomposition in their shared Jamaica home.

Hard Rock CEO outlines vendor opportunities for $8B Metropolitan Park casino project

May. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen addressed hundreds of Queens-based vendors and small business owners Thursday morning at the Queens Theatre, outlining how they could play a key role in shaping the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field—if the project is awarded one of the three downstate gaming licenses up for grabs later this year.

Masked thieves steal thousands from senior woman in Murray Hill robbery: NYPD

Police from the 111th Precinct in Bayside are looking for two masked purse snatchers who targeted a 70-year-old woman on a residential street in Murray Hill and allegedly grabbed her pocketbook that contained thousands of dollars.

The grand larceny occurred just after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, as the senior was walking near 45th Avenue and 196th Street, a block west of Francis Lewis Boulevard, just south of Northern Boulevard. The stranger approached her from behind and snatched the pocketbook from her hand and then fled the crime scene in a black Chevrolet traveling westbound toward Utopia Parkway. The woman was not injured during the encounter.

Beyond brunch: Unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Queens

May. 2, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With Mother’s Day just over a week away, there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful in Queens to celebrate the special women in your life. While brunch or dinner is always a classic choice, there are also unique and memorable ways to mark the occasion with family and friends. From candle-making workshops and floral arranging classes to beer tastings and hands-on crafting, here are some fun and heartfelt ways to celebrate Mother’s Day right here in the community.

Long Islander gets 20 years in prison for ‘sadistic’ months-long crime spree in Queens: DA

A Long Island man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday in Queens Supreme Court after pleading guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and promoting prostitution for three separate incidents.

Gil Iphael, 25, of Copiague Street in Valley Stream, lured his victims to Queens locations for sex with the help of his co-defendant, then his victims were detained, assaulted, and robbed. In one instance, Iphael tried to cut off a man’s toe and threatened to mutilate his genitals.