Mom Already In Custody; Now Dad Wanted In Fatal Child-Abuse Case Jumps To His Death

Mohammed Torabi was estranged from his wife, Tina, after allegations of domestic violence, which include choking and biting.

October 09, 2018
Tina Torabi [ABC7 (screenshot)]   

Tina Torabi [ABC7 (screenshot)]

Tina Torabi [ABC7 (screenshot)]

By: Catherine Townsend

NEW YORK, NY — A father who was wanted for questioning by police in the death of his 13-month-old daughter and the beating of her twin brother jumped to his death Saturday from a New York City hotel.

Mohammad Reza Torabi, 31, leaped from the top of the Renaissance New York Hotel 57 on E. 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan. His body landed on a third-floor landing air conditioner, according to MSN.

On Wednesday, police found his daughter Elaina and her brother Kian badly beaten in the couple's basement apartment in Auburndale, Queens. Elaina later died, and Kian suffered fractured ribs, a broken tibia, and internal bleeding.

Their mother, Tina Torabi, 30, called 911 on Wednesday night when Elaina stopped breathing. She has been charged with felony assault and is being held without bail in connection with the beating of her son.

A child services worker had apparently visited the home just two days before, and had the impression the children were fine and not in danger.

The two battered babies were born in August 2017 with opioids in their systems — they and three other children were taken away from their mother for the first six months of their lives. A judge returned them to their mother in March after no further evidence of drug use was found. It was reportedly Torabi who introduced his wife to using drugs.

Torabi, 31, was estranged from his wife after allegations of domestic violence, which include choking and biting. A restraining order was issued earlier this year.

Sources indicated no suicide note left was found on Torabi. Tina told a reporter from the New York Post that her husband attacked the kids before committing suicide. Still, she may face further charges in connection with Elaina’s death once the autopsy is complete.

Police found horrific wounds — including bite marks, cigarette burns, and lesions — on Elaina in addition to Kian's severe injuries. The other three children, who are ages two, four, and five, reportedly showed signs of malnourishment.

The investigation continues.

Next Up

True Crime News Roundup: Alabama Corrections Officer Vanishes With Her Inmate Boyfriend

Plus: Dead Louisiana woman found fused to sofa; JonBenét Ramsey’s father seeks governor’s help with DNA testing; Australian man incarcerated for killing gay American in 1988; and Pennsylvania mother shoots her two boys in the head.

5 Things You Need To Know About Susan Powell

In 2009, mother-of-two Susan Powell disappeared without a trace in West Valley City, Utah. Then in 2012, her husband Josh killed himself and their two sons after custody of the children was granted to Susan's parents.

True Crime News Roundup: Alabama Realtor Murdered After Protection Order Against Husband Lifted

Plus: Chicago police search for person responsible for fatally shooting child; gunman who killed retired Wisconsin judge dies; college student left blind and unable to walk after fraternity hazing incident in Missouri; and Vermont yoga teacher accused of murder spotted for second time in New York City area.

True Crime News Roundup: Former NFL Player Indicted For Murdering Girlfriend, Prosecutors Say

Plus: Maryland woman allegedly shoots her husband after he’s accused of sexually abusing children; hit-and-run driver kills man who had plans to propose; police determine what happened to slain Rhode Island couple; three school employees indicted in connection with autistic student’s death.

True Crime News Roundup: Elderly Man Missing For Months Found Dead In Trash Can Outside His Home

Plus: NYC sixth-grader struck and killed by stray bullet; New Hampshire police search for person of interest in double homicide; Fyre Festival fraudster released early from prison; and manhunt continues for escaped Texas prisoner.

True Crime News Roundup: Missing California Woman Found Dead In Remote Woods, Ex-Husband Arrested

Plus: Four University of Idaho students brutally murdered; Pregnant Florida mom found shot; Gabby Petito’s family awarded $3 million in lawsuit; Parents of boy found dead in washing machine charged with his murder.

True Crime News Roundup: Father Accused Of Killing His 3 Children, Leaving Bodies For Wife To Find

Plus: California man uses Bitcoin to pay hitman to murder his ex; police accuse woman of abandoning baby found frozen to death in 1985; woman who may be victim of alleged D.C. serial killer identified; and Ghislaine Maxwell makes bid for lighter sentence.

Former Couple Arrested Almost 35 Years After 5-Year-Old Girl’s Concrete-Encased Body Found

“The baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified, and we’re working to bring justice to her,” an official says.