BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In an exclusive interview with 17 News, the “prime suspect” in the deaths of her three children in Reseda admitted to the killings.
Eytan Wallace: Did you kill your three children?
Liliana Carrillo: I did.
Carrillo spoke to 17’s Eytan Wallace on Thursday afternoon. She admitted to drowning the children, she says to protect them from their father who she alleges was involved in human trafficking. Carrillo and her estranged husband, Erik Denton, were involved in a bitter custody dispute.
“I drowned them. I did it as softly, I don’t know how to explain it. I hugged them. I kissed them. I was apologizing the whole time. I loved my kids.”
Liliana Carrillo to 17’s Eytan Wallace
“I drowned them. I did it as softly, I don’t know how to explain it,” Carrillo said. “I hugged them. I kissed them. I was apologizing the whole time. I loved my kids.”
“I didn’t want them to be further abused. I loved my kids,” she said. “I wish this didn’t have to be the case, but I promised to protect them.”
Last month Denton asked a court to require Carrillo to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Denton also told the Los Angeles Times he tried to get help for Carrillo from child protective authorities, but added they didn’t immediately get involved.
Carrillo suspected in the deaths of her three children in Reseda before fleeing north to Kern County, then to Tulare County where she was arrested.
“I tried to drive off the top off a cliff and die.”
She was arrested before carrying out an attempt to take her own life.
I wish my kids were alive, yes. Do I wish I didn’t have to do that, yes? But I prefer them not being tortured and abused on a regular basis for the rest of their life.
Liliana Carrillo to 17’s Eytan Wallace
The children’s bodies were found in an apartment in Reseda. The children were ages 3, 2 and 6 months old.
Eytan: Do you regret your actions?
Carrillo: I wish my kids were alive, yes. Do I wish I didn’t have to do that, yes? But I prefer them not being tortured and abused on a regular basis for the rest of their life.
She said she has accepted she will likely spend the rest of her life behind bars.
As she comes to terms with that, she says she’s also come to terms knowing she will never see her children again
Eytan: What was the final message to your children?
Carrillo: I love you. And I’m sorry.
Carrillo said she sought from social services and saw a therapist several times, but it was unsuccessful.
She has not been formally charged in the children’s three deaths by Los Angeles County prosecutors.
Liliana Carrillo is being held in Kern County on carjacking charges which authorities say she did while on the run from Los Angeles law enforcement.
Liliana Carrillo pleaded not guilty to carjacking and other charges in Kern County court on Wednesday.
