On Mother's Day morning 2022, three children — Natalie Flores (12), Kevin Yanez (10), and Nathan Yanez (8) — were found dead in their West Hills, Los Angeles home after a 911 call about an assault with a deadly weapon. Their mother, Angela Dawn Flores (38), was charged with three counts of murder after admitting to killing the children with the assistance of her 16-year-old son, who was also arrested on one count of murder. Police suspected the children had been dead for several hours before being discovered, likely having died on Saturday night. Earlier that night, neighbors had observed Flores acting erratically — screaming, praying, lighting candles at other homes, and saying her family was abusing her. She was taken to the hospital for mental health reasons around 1 a.m. Sunday, approximately seven hours before the children were found dead by police after the 16-year-old went to a neighbor and reported his siblings unresponsive. The cause of death was not publicly released, and the coroner placed the cases on a security hold.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The initial 911 call was for "an assault with a deadly weapon" (NBC LA, CBS News, Fox LA). Additionally, the LAPD stated that "Angela Flores admitted to killing her children with the assistance of the 16-year-old subject" (NBC LA). While the specific cause of death was not released, the assault with a deadly weapon call and the admission of killing strongly imply inflicted injury, though the specific mechanism is unknown.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Angela Dawn Flores, 38, is the biological mother of the three victims. The LAPD stated that "Angela Flores admitted to killing her children with the assistance of the 16-year-old subject" (NBC LA). She was charged with three counts of murder (all sources).
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
An unidentified 16-year-old was arrested in connection to the case. NBC LA reports: "The teen has not been identified, but is believed to be Flores's son. He faces one murder count and is being held in juvenile hall." The LAPD confirmed that "Angela Flores admitted to killing her children with the assistance of the 16-year-old subject." As the mother's son, this 16-year-old is a sibling of the three victims.
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Angela Dawn Flores, 38, was charged with three counts of murder and arrested. All four sources confirm this. NBC LA states: "Angela Flores, 38, was charged with three counts of murder after her three children were found dead." Fox LA reports: "the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed three counts of murder against her. Her bail was set at $6 million."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Multiple sources reference the mother's mental health. CBS News reports: "Flores was taken to the hospital for mental health reasons" the night before the children were found. Neighbors described her "acting erratically" on Saturday night, "screaming, yelling, praying and lighting candles at other homes on the street." The Independent reports her ex-husband Jacob Corona said: "She was telling me all this stuff about God. She didn't sound right" and "she was talking about death." CBS News also reports she was saying "Where's my Bible? Where's my Bible?" when taken from the scene on a stretcher.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details not covered by preceding questions: (1) The mother was taken to the hospital for mental health reasons approximately seven hours before the children were found dead. CBS News reports: "Blanca Hernandez lives next door and was home Saturday night when Flores began acting erratically on her front lawn, so she called 911. Flores was taken to the hospital for mental health reasons." It was "seven hours later that the 16-year-old son went to another neighbor's home and said his brothers and sister were unresponsive." Officers suspected the children had already been dead for several hours when found. This raises significant questions about whether anyone checked on the welfare of the children in the home when the mother was hospitalized. (2) Fox LA reports "Flores is the mother of seven children. Her three other children live out of state with their father." (3) The Independent notes: "The LA County Department of Children and Family Services says it cannot comment on if it had been involved with the family," which is notable for its refusal to confirm or deny prior involvement. (4) The ex-husband Jacob Corona noted she had been "talking about death" the previous week but "didn't think anything of it." (5) The coroner placed the cases on a security hold with no cause of death released.
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