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(CNN) -- From the outside, Carol Coronado embraced motherhood.
She played with her three girls -- ran after them, kissed them, smiled
with them, a neighbor recalled. Her children seemingly had no
shortage of joy, as evidenced by their own abundant laughter.
"She (said) she loved being a mother," Ashley Madrid said of
Coronado, her neighbor.
But the inside -- at least inside her Southern California home on
Tuesday -- was a different story. According to the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department, Coronado is believed to have killed
her children. The oldest was 3 years old, the youngest all of 2
months.
Sheriff's deputies arrived at a home in unincorporated Torrance
early Tuesday evening to find "family members who told (them) that
a mother had killed her children." Inside, they found three juveniles
dead and their mother "adjacent" to them, the sheriff's department
said.
Authorities told CNN affiliate KTLA the young girls were lying in a
pool of blood. Their naked 30-year-old mother was holding a knife,
investigators told the same station.
Coronado eventually emerged from the house, wearing little more
than a blanket. Madrid told Nancy Grace of CNN's sister network
HLN that Coronado looked blankly at the ground.
"I could see the blood smears all over her face and arms and legs,"
Madrid recalled. "And she was just stone-faced."
The mother was brought to a local hospital, then to the department's
Carson Station to be booked on murder charges, said the sheriff's
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Woman who 'loved being a mother'
suspected of killing her 3 young children
By Greg Botelho, CNN
updated 9:58 PM EDT, Wed May 21, 2014
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Neighbor says she "never"
saw indications Carol Coronado
was a threat
NEW: A f amily f riend says the
slain children's f ather is
distraught; "it's just not right"
Torrance mom is accused of
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department. As of Wednesday evening, online records didn't
indicate that Coronado was officially an inmate in the county, and it
wasn't known whether she had a lawyer.
So exactly what happened? And why?
There's been no official word about a motive, nor has the sequence
of events been spelled out.
Madrid had known Coronado since the latter moved into the
neighborhood four to five years ago.
In that time, Madrid and Coronado would talk at the grocery store or
across the fence about their children. Never did she hear any
arguments or see any signs of trouble.
"Never," the neighbor said Wednesday. "Completely opposite of
what happened yesterday."
The girls' father was across the street working on a car when it
happened, Madrid said.
"I can't imagine how he feels, you know," Robert Marino, a family
friend, told CNN affiliate KCAL. "It's just not right."
Police: Utah mom admits to killing at least six of her babies
Mom kills two of her children during attempted exorcism
Opinion: Why would a mother kill her babies?
CNN's Sonya Hamasaki and Ed Payne contributed to this report
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Brother Mouzone 13 days ago
Prayers to the family of the mother and the father of the children. I just don't know what
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Prayers to the family of the mother and the father of the children. I just don't know what
can possess you to do such a thing if not mental illness. I am not a judge of man though
so i only offer my condolences to the family

394
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Guest 13 days ago Brother Mouzone
Postpartum depression, look it up

197
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blueiis0112 13 days ago Guest
I know a lot of women who have suffered from this and have not murdered
their children. The depression was compound by other things.

194
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rarey4 13 days ago blueiis0112
Human biology is rarely uniform.
heck just look at all the different size clothes there are.

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mpouxesas 12 days ago rarey4
I am not sure about the ...biological basis of post-partum
depression...but I am looking it up!

9
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Fluffy Biscuit 12 days ago mpouxesas
Look up postpartum psychosis, it is what is more likely to be
associated with crimes like this as opposed to postpartum
depression.

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Galadika Vaingha 12 days ago Fluffy Biscuit
I had postpartum psychosis after my older son was born. I was
lucky though because my husband knew something was very
wrong and I was hospitalized so I never was able to hurt myself or
my baby.

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Alyssa 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
A huge thumbs up to you!

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ldean50 12 days ago Alyssa
AND your husband

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Guest 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
I experienced the same issue with my wife after our second child. It
was the scariest thing I ever witnessed in my life. The mind is a
very powerful thing.

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Galadika Vaingha 11 days ago Guest
It's a very scary situation. I tried so hard to hide it from my husband
but he knew. This happened to me 10 years ago and it still bothers
me a lot.

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Eisbaar 12 days ago Guest
And a terrible thing to waste....

1
Di Collins 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
So glad that your husband was aware of the issue and that you all
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So glad that your husband was aware of the issue and that you all
are ok. Maybe you can shed some light on the subject?

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Galadika Vaingha 11 days ago Di Collins
It was a really difficult time for me and it's hard to talk about. I didn't
go to the hospital willingly. I was taken in handcuffed by a sheriff
because I was so delusional. It all started when my son was about
3 days old. I couldn't stand to hear him cry or to touch him. My
husband had to take care of him until he went back to work. Once I
was left alone it got worse. I stopped eating and sleeping. I started
hearing voices telling me to run away and kill myself. I started
cutting myself and hiding it from my husband. I had an
overwhelming sense of being watched which led to paranoia.
Eventually it got so bad that I stopped taking insulin (I'm type 1
diabetic). Amazingly I didn't go into coma, probably because I
wasn't eating anything anyway. One night I took my son to a
babysitter and I ran away. I was gone for a couple days and on my
way back home I was arrested and taken to a mental hospital
because my husband signed a court order to have me involuntarily
committed. I don't remember many details because my mind was
so shattered but after a couple weeks in the hospital I started to get
a little better. It took me about a year to feel normal again. My god I
really hate talking about this but I hope it can help someone else out
there.

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Di Collins 10 days ago Galadika Vaingha
YOU, my dear, are a HERO. You have survived the darkness as
did those you care for. Mental illness can be deadly. It was not your
fault. That sounds like a very scary situation for all involved but you
got the help you needed. I applaud you and your husband. It must
have been VERY difficult to do what he did but he did it to save your
life and the lives of your children. I am sending you huge hugs and
tons of support.

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Galadika Vaingha 9 days ago Di Collins
Thank you! It was very difficult especially for my husband. He didn't
want me to be thrown in the back of a police car screaming and
crying but it's what saved me. I had some pretty harsh words for
him until I started getting better.

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Imdoinfine 10 days ago Galadika Vaingha
This may be your calling! One person at a time can help get rid of
the stigma. I am in awe, you truly are an inspiration!

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Galadika Vaingha 9 days ago Imdoinfine
I've thought about volunteering at the county jail to help mentor
women with mental illness because many of them do suffer from
that. When my younger son starts school I would like to use my
free time to help people that are stuck in that hell hole, especially
mothers.

4
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Joy38 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
Me too! Same thing! It worked out for me.

8
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Chammy 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
Good girl. I am so happy you got help
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Imdoinfine 10 days ago Galadika Vaingha
That's so great that he got you the help you needed! Often mothers
don't seek help and hide it because they think that they are
monsters and that their children will be taken away. It's not your
fault that happened to you and you have an advantage to help those
that are or have suffered from this. God Bless.

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Galadika Vaingha 9 days ago Imdoinfine
I tried so hard to hide it but things just fell apart for me in the end. I
was afraid my baby would be taken from me and I wasn't able to
understand that he wasn't safe with me at that time. I did have to go
to court on terroristic threatening charges for threatening to kill my
husband and the sheriff but those charges were dropped after I
completed treatment. It's hard for me to believe that ever happened
because I honestly don't remember saying that. I'm glad the judge
understood.

1
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Mariah 12 days ago Fluffy Biscuit
Thank you for clarifying this for those with misconceptions. Moms
with postpartum depression may not want their kids due to how
they are feeling, but they are in touch with reality and know that any
thoughts of harming their kids are troubling and not what they really
want to do. A mother with postpartum psychosis- not postpartum
depression- has a break from reality and as part of that break, may
believe it is right and necessary to harm or kill her children. I say
this not to condone murder, but to reinforce the point that, if Mrs.
Coronado does indeed have a birth-related mental illness, it would
be postpartum psychosis and NOT postpartum depression.

18
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Imdoinfine 10 days ago Mariah
Exactly! Thank-you!

1
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Bad News 12 days ago Fluffy Biscuit
Ugh can you imagine what it's going to be like when they bring her
out of this psychosis? What a terrible, terrible tragedy.

10
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mpouxesas 12 days ago Fluffy Biscuit
Psychosis is the disease, postpartum is the manifestation of
existing condition. But, post-partum depression has no biological
basis.

6
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Alyssa 12 days ago mpouxesas
Not true. Sorry. Postpartum is entirely biological.

42
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mpouxesas 12 days ago Alyssa
OK....depression = biology. Got it.

2
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Alyssa 12 days ago mpouxesas
YES, it IS biological. I have no idea where you're getting your
information, but it's archaic and false.

26
mpouxesas 12 days ago Alyssa
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Again, postpartum does not describe a BIOLOGICAL disease.

3
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usmc-raid 12 days ago mpouxesas
A Woman goes through a lot during and after pregnancy... it is
100% biological condition....it is completely related to the
"biological" stress as well as other types of stress a Woman's body
endures during and after this amazing event....
One thing a "real man" can do it to be there 200% for his Wife,
Girlfriend or Fiance... Unfortunately most "men" in this country are
pu$$$ies and are only "brave" enough to abuse Women...

36
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Blazing Machine Gun 12 days ago usmc-raid
Sorry. If my wife kills my kids my being there for her is over. By the
way Being a murderous nut job is a %100 natural condition. It
affects both men and women pregnant or otherwise.

7
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USNavySquid 11 days ago usmc-raid
Don't take it for granted that all Real Men know how to deal with a
spouse suffering from any condition that makes them irrational and
unpredictable. My wife suffers from depression. I have to be
constantly on guard of my actions and my reactions around her --
despite provocation. I have to weather the storm without escalating
it no matter how fatigued I am from being the peace-maker, no
matter how much pride and ego I have swallowed/suppressed. I
have learned, through rough lessons, that there is no winning or
reasoning with her when she is in an depressed state. And
attempting to win an argument or defend myself against her
accusations is completely hopeless and only make things worse.
So I shut up and take it. Even when she's wrong. Pointing out that
she is wrong, only makes her more depressed b/c she will feel
more worthless. So I have to agree with everything. It's incredibly
trying. I certainly would not expect all good, real husbands to be
able to do this. Many good men would simply walk away, and some
good men would even crack every now and then and let the
provocation get the better of them.

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john huscio 11 days ago USNavySquid
Put her in an institution or get a divorce

2
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Di Collins 10 days ago john huscio
I hope you aren't married. You are a cold man.

3
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Di Collins 10 days ago USNavySquid
You are a good man. It is a very difficult situation for the partner.

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groupthought 12 days ago usmc-raid
Really? Most men, huh? Or do you actually mean a small fraction
of a percent? Yeah, I think that's what you meant.

2
mpouxesas 10 days ago usmc-raid
OK...lets do this again. Psychosis is BEHAVIOR. I am aware of
hormonal changes in a woman's body during and after pregnancy.
Finally, there's no such thing as 200% as any percentage point(s)
"comes" out of 100...you can't get more than...100 out of 100. I
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don't know about most men in this country, but I can confidently say
that I was there, with my wife, through all 3 pregnancies, and still
today, I am contributing more than she does (since I work as an
independent contractor I have the luxury to spend more time with
my kids at home than she does) in the upbringing of our children.

1
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luckymama 10 days ago mpouxesas
I am a nursing student and mother of 5 who suffered from PPD and
PTSD (other events). Respectfully, sir, you have no idea what you
are talking about. Do some simple research on brain scans taken
in people with psych disorders. Also, If it weren't biological, there
wouldn't be medications that help treat such things, would there
be? Psychosis is a SYMPTOM, just like limping is a symptom of a
leg injury. You wouldn't tell someone who is limping with a broken
leg to just suck it up and walk normally right? Well the mind is a boy
part just like a leg, and neurons can get injured just like any other
body part, even if it is from hormones and chemicals instead of
physical force.

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Alyssa 12 days ago mpouxesas
Ummm...that's just not right. Postpartum is due to a combination of
hormones and neurotransmitters. Those things are biological.
What is your argument, exactly?

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Di Collins 10 days ago mpouxesas
What is your background to say such things? Are you a doctor? I
doubt it. Also, if you are a man, then you should keep your mouth
shut because you have no idea what you are talking about. Plus,
your attitude is the reason why mental illness still has a stigma
attached to it. Because of people like you, the ill don't get help the
need even though they know they need it, due to the attitude of the
ignorant and the attached stigma.

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Galadika Vaingha 12 days ago mpouxesas
I don't think you are correct. I had never had a psychotic episode in
my life until I was diagnosed with post partum psychosis and I
haven't had another episode since I've been treated. What
happened to me was completely biological according to the doctors
that treated me at Eastern State Hospital.

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H. B. 12 days ago Galadika Vaingha
You should post more detailed information, so others can make
use of your experience. It could help many.
How can the mother - or other family member - know she is even
HAVING this problem? How to identify it? Where to go to get help.
What treatment consists of. How often the treatment works - or
doesn't work.
Postpartum depression seems to have something to do with the
way a woman's hormones are affected by pregnancy and
childbirth. Most of us know a fair amount about the hormones that
give women cravings and such early in pregnancy. Her body is on a
hormonal rollercoaster for the whole 9 months, and then it all
comes to a screeching halt with childbirth, while OTHER hormones
are re-instituted and others started to help her prepare to nurse the
baby. For the 9 months, and a few months after giving birth, a
woman's hormones are NOT normal. Women respond to these
radical hormonal changes in a variety of ways; they aren't all alike in
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radical hormonal changes in a variety of ways; they aren't all alike in
that respect. But changes in hormones affect every woman who
gets pregnant, at least enough that she can notice them.
Everyone, even men, is emotionally affected by their bodies'
hormones. Normally, they are helpful, but not always.

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Galadika Vaingha 11 days ago H. B.
My symptoms started quickly when my son was 3 days old. At first I
was feeling agitated all the time and I cried a lot. I couldn't stand to
hear my son cry or to touch him. Touching him would sometimes
make me vomit or have a panic attack. I stopped eating and
sleeping. I started seeing things that I thought might be demons and
I heard them say I was stupid and a bad mother. I should kill myself.
I had visions of actually throwing my baby against a wall and that
was horrifying. I started cutting myself in places I thought I could
hide from my husband. Eventually all this led to me being taken to
the hospital by a sheriff. I don't remember much about the first few
weeks in the hospital. I know they gave me lots of drugs and then
took me to a regular hospital for a bit for IV nutrition and insulin (I'm
type 1 diabetic). Then they took me back to the mental hospital and
I was on suicide watch for a long time. They forced me to eat and
gave me meds to help me sleep and to calm my brain down. Once
I started feeling a little bit normal again I was terrified that I had done
something bad. I asked them if I killed my baby or if I hurt him and
they said no. I didn't believe them because they wouldn't let me see
him and I went into a rage. Finally I agreed to let me husband visit
and he assured me the baby was fine and I would be fine. It was a
long painful road.

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Di Collins 10 days ago Galadika Vaingha
When I had my son, I cried hysterically for 2 straight weeks. I had
no idea why and I found it frightening. Women need to be better
prepared for the hormonal changes that happen after birth. It was
very scary.

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Galadika Vaingha 9 days ago Di Collins
I certainly wasn't prepared for what happened to me. But I don't
wanna scare other women because what happened to me is more
rare. I only personally know one other mom that this happened to. I
think there needs to be more awareness for new moms about
these issues.

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nikki 12 days ago mpouxesas
please post a copy of your psych degree...ill wait...

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Alyssa 12 days ago nikki
I have 3 psych degrees. It's biological.

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Solo Habib 12 days ago Alyssa
Lol three degrees okay good for you. Murder is never okay.

5
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awesome-O 12 days ago Solo Habib
No one said muser is ok. You're the only one saying that.

10
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