July 26, 2025 Bronx, NY – After nearly five years of relentless investigation, the New York City Police Department has announced a significant breakthrough in the horrific case of two newborn twins found murdered and discarded in the trash. Stephanie Castillo, 36, the biological mother of the infants, was formally charged on July 25, 2025, with their murder.

Castillo, who resided in the Bronx apartment building where the babies were discovered in 2020, was led out of the 44th Precinct in handcuffs on Friday, her head bowed as she faced a barrage of questions. While police have yet to establish a clear motive, this arrest marks a pivotal moment in a case that has deeply shaken the community and garnered widespread attention.

The Discovery: A Community Stunned

On November 9, 2020, the building's super made a gruesome discovery on College Avenue in the Claremont section of the Bronx: two newborn babies, their umbilical cords still attached, beaten to death and left among the refuse. The scene sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, prompting annual vigils in memory of the innocent lives lost.

With no family to claim them, detectives affectionately named the infants Zeke and Zane. The NYPD went a step further, organizing a funeral service for the twins, ensuring their brief lives were acknowledged and remembered. This poignant gesture underscored the department's unwavering commitment to securing justice for the defenseless newborns.

A Dogged Pursuit: The Role of DNA Technology

"It’s important that we keep their memory alive," NYPD Detective Brianna Constantino told amNewYork in 2024, reflecting the persistent dedication of investigators. "There’s a family out there that should be celebrating a four-year-old’s birthday today, and we’re here on the fourth anniversary, and we will continue this until the end."

NYPD Chief Michael Baldassano confirmed that modern DNA technology was instrumental in breaking the case. "Modern technology DNA evidence led us to the perpetrator in this case," Baldassano explained. "It took us some time, we used a technique called IGG — investigative genetic genealogy to get to where we are today."

Photo Credit: Dean Moses

Chief Baldassano emphasized that the investigation never truly went cold. Detectives remained "dogged and determined," fueled by the unwavering belief that an arrest would eventually be made. He also credited the crucial support from local residents, who consistently provided leads and maintained faith in the NYPD's efforts. "They have always come out to help us in this case and gave our detectives every lead that they came across," Baldassano stated. "I tell them that we, the NYPD, never stop. Our detectives are the best in the world, every case we investigate to its conclusion."

Charges Filed: Stephanie Castillo Faces Justice

Stephanie Castillo now faces a total of six counts of murder and six counts of manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Zeke and Zane. While the legal process will undoubtedly be lengthy, the arrest brings a measure of closure to a community that has mourned the loss of these two infants for far too long. The pursuit of justice for Zeke and Zane stands as a testament to the perseverance of the NYPD and the power of advanced forensic technology.