The family of a California mother charged with murder after smothering one of her eight-month-old twin daughters to death with her breast is appealing for donations and help from the public, saying the overwhelmed, young mother-of-three snapped in a moment of weakness and doesn’t deserve jail.
Celina Juarez, 29, is in custody in San Jose accused of murdering her eight-month-old daughter Melani.
On November 4, she held Melani against her breast for ten minutes, pushing her face against her skin and holding her down while she ‘kicked’ and ‘gasped for air’ after growing frustrated that she wouldn’t latch on to feed.
DailyMail.com can reveal the first photo of the 29-year-old with Melani, her twin sister Zari, their two-year-old brother and their father, Celina’s husband who is standing by her and fundraising for her defense.
Police say the mother intentionally killed her daughter, and that she was hungry after not eating throughout the day.
Celina Juarez, 29, is in custody in San Jose accused of murdering her eight-month-old daughter Melani. Melani and her twin sister Zari are shown along with their two-year-old brother. Celina’s husband Artemio is now fundraising for her legal defense
Celina Juarez, 29, is in custody in San Jose accused of murdering her eight-month-old daughter Melani. She is shown, left, in her mugshot. Her family and friends insist she is a loving mother who had a mental health crisis
Artemio, Celina’s husband, is now fundraising for her defense, insisting she needs ‘help not jail’. ‘Those who know her, know this is not in her character. She has devoted her entire life to children and her life revolves around our children and our family. There are two sides to every story and we need all the help we can get to give Celina the chance to say hers! This judgment is not right she is a victim here too,’ he said in a GoFundMe page
But the family insist she is a loving and dedicated mother who was overwhelmed and overworked trying to care for a toddler and infant twins.
Artemio, Celina’s husband, is now fundraising for her defense, insisting she needs ‘help not jail’.
‘Those who know her, know this is not in her character. She has devoted her entire life to children and her life revolves around our children and our family.
‘There are two sides to every story and we need all the help we can get to give Celina the chance to say hers! This judgment is not right she is a victim here too,’ he said.
The family is seeking to raise $10,000. So far, friends and strangers have donated $3,000.
Police say the young mother held Melani against her breast forcefully, ignoring her as she ‘gasped for air’ and kicked her legs, then placed her on a bed in the home.
The young mother-of-three then picked up Zari and attempted to do the same.
After trying to smother them both, she waited 20 minutes and then phoned her mother, who rushed to the house.
The family is seeking to raise $10,000. So far, friends and strangers have donated $3,000
Friends and relatives rushed to defend Celina on a GoFundMe page where they are trying to raise money for her defense
The mother performed CPR on the girls then told Celina’s brother, who called 911.
Both babies were then taken to the hospital, where Melani was pronounced dead.
Celina was charged with one count of murder and is being held in custody.
Her friends have rushed to defend her, writing character statements in an attempt to appeal to the judge.
‘We love her and we know the truth, and we wish everyone can be more aware about mental health and that nobody is immune, she is going through a tragedy and she deserves freedom and mental health services, not incarcerating her for an accident,’ Jesus Carbajal said.
‘This is a mother who needs help, not to be vilified,’ said Crystal Conroy, another friend.
‘As parents, all you want to do is take care of your kids, and be able to feed and comfort them. A single baby alone can be overwhelming when these challenges occur.
‘I simply cannot imagine how difficult it is with 2 babies going through this at the same time,’ added.
It is unclear when Celina’s next court date is, or if she has retained an attorney.
The family home in San Jose, California. Celina was caring for the two girls alone after returning from church. Her two-year-old son was with her husband
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