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.”
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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.