On the night of October 28-29, 2023, Prospero Serna, 38, the biological father of four children, attacked all four of them at their mother's apartment in Lancaster, California. The children's mother called 911 shortly before midnight reporting that her children were being harmed. Deputies arrived and found all four children in one bedroom suffering from lacerations and stab wounds. Two children — Ziasia Serna, age 7, and her sibling Najila, age 3 — were pronounced dead at the hospital, while the other two siblings survived with non-life-threatening injuries. The medical examiner determined Ziasia's cause of death was multiple stab wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide. Serna was arrested after a physical struggle with deputies and was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault on a child under 8, and one count of child abuse.
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 medical examiner report (Document 4) lists the cause of death as "MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS." The NY Post article states that Prospero Serna "allegedly beat and stabbed two of his young children to death." The first ABC7 article reports the children were found "suffering from lacerations to their bodies."
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?
Multiple sources identify Prospero Serna as the biological father of all four children. The first ABC7 article states he was "the biological father of all four children" and was detained as a "person of interest." The second ABC7 article reports he was arrested "for murder and child abuse." The NY Post article states he is "facing murder and assault charges for attacking all four of his children."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
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?
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?
The second ABC7 article states that "the sheriff's department says enough evidence has been collected to place Serna under arrest for murder and child abuse." The NY Post article confirms he was "charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault on a child under 8 years of age, and one count of child abuse. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail pending a return to court."
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?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger's statement in the second ABC7 article raises potential systemic concerns: "The County has made strides in bringing more social workers to serve the Antelope Valley and is investing in child abuse prevention programs that strengthen families. But the reality is that some families slip through the cracks and ultimately, children pay the price." Additionally, DCFS declined to confirm or deny prior involvement with the family, citing confidentiality laws. These statements, taken together, suggest possible prior child welfare system contact and systemic gaps in child protection, though neither is confirmed. The father was also described as "not cooperating with deputies, resulting in a delay in his booking process," and lived in San Bernardino County rather than at the Lancaster address where the children resided with their mother, suggesting a non-custodial arrangement.
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