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This was a tragic end for baby New Year.

The illegal migrant accused of beating his 2-month-old daughter to death on Long Island was pictured with the baby looking like a loving dad — just months before he allegedly snapped and killed the child because he became convinced she wasn’t his.

Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20 was featured grinning with little Liseyda Rabanales-Barrios and his partner, Olibia Barrios Cifuentes — as the then-happy family celebrated the fact she was the first baby born in Queens, at 12:28 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.


  Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20, was pictured looking like a loving dad in an article that ran months before he allegedly murdered his 2-month-old daughter. Episcopal Health Services Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, 20, was pictured looking like a loving dad in an article that ran months before he allegedly murdered his 2-month-old daughter. Episcopal Health Services

The qns.com article notes that Rabanales-Pretzantzin and Barrios welcomed the newborn girl into the world at Queens’ St. John’s Episcopal Hospital on Jan. 1 at 12:28 a.m.

A photo that ran with piece shows the happy couple holding the adorable baby and smiling in a hospital room — an image that stands in striking contrast with the cold-blooded crime for which Rabanales-Pretzantzin is accused.

The small clan was even gifted a host of baby items to get them started, such as a diaper bag, a baby play center, baby book and several toys. There was even a car seat attachment and baby monitor to keep the child safe.

The article states the baby’s name is Jimena Sulemia — not how police identified the child — but neighbors confirmed to The Post it’s the same family.


  Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin is accused of beating his infant daughter to death. NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin is accused of beating his infant daughter to death. NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The owner of a bodega two blocks from Rabanales-Pretzantzin’s home in the town of Inwood said that — before the illegal migrant snapped — he “looked like a good father” who often went on diaper runs.

“He came here last week. He was looking for pampers and he was in a rush,” the owner of Bayview Deli said. “He was looking for size 5 pampers and wanted the bigger box so it would last longer.” 

“He looked like a good kid. Young but he looked like a good father,” said the deli owner, who declined to give his name.


  Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin allegedly beat the little girl to death at their home in Inwood. Brigitte Stelzer Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin allegedly beat the little girl to death at their home in Inwood. Brigitte Stelzer

Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin allegedly slapped the baby in the face, punched her in the stomach and violently shook her inside his Inwood home on March 7, according to a criminal complaint. 

He then allegedly threw her on a bed and callously pressed his fist into her chest, leaving her with ribcage injuries and a fractured vertebrae, police said. 

He was charged with murder Wednesday after he allegedly admitted to killing the little girl.

Cops said Rabanales-Pretzantzin made his way across the Mexico-El Paso border illegally in 2022. He was apprehended by Border Patrol and released. He’s now being held without bail.

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