Police have arrested the 42-year-old mother of the 5-year-old twins who were found deceased inside their home in the Mt. Hope section of the Bronx in December 2023 and the Bronx District Attorney’s office has charged her in connection with their deaths. Police said on March 15 that the twins’ deaths had been ruled a [double] homicide and the cause was later determined to be asphyxiation.

 

As reported, a police spokesperson said that on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at around 11.21 a.m., officers from the 46th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding an aided child at 240 East 175th Street.

 

“Upon arrival, officers observed a 5-year-old male and a 5-year-old female, unconscious and unresponsive, inside an apartment at the location,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and pronounced the aided children deceased at the scene.”

 

Police said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would determine the cause of death, and the investigation remained ongoing. Norwood News had been following up with the medical examiner’s office to inquire about the cause of death but had not received a response. The Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark later confirmed the medical examiner had ruled that the children had been smothered and died of asphyxiation.

According to a plaque affixed to the building in which the children were located, it is called “The Snowbell.” The victims were later identified as George and Gianna Kantanka, both 5 years of age, of 240 East 175th Street.

 

Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, police said Gloria Asamoah, 42, of 240 East 175th Street was arrested on Thursday, April 11, at 2.35 p.m. within the confines of the 46th Precinct, which covers some or all of the neighborhoods of Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights and Mount Hope.

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, April 12, that Asamoah has been charged with first-degree murder and related charges in the deaths of her five-year-old twins. In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “This tragedy, occurring right before the holidays, was incredibly senseless. The young brother and sister were discovered lying together, lifeless, in their apartment. Their mother allegedly killed these children and will be held accountable.”

Clark said Asamoah has been indicted on first-degree murder (for causing the death of more than one person in a single incident), two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree manslaughter. The district attorney said Asamoah was arraigned on Friday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera and was remanded in custody. She is due back in court in July.

 

According to the investigation, Asamoah, on or about Dec. 18, 2023, in the apartment she shared with her children and their father, with the intent to cause the death of another person, caused the death of George Kantanka, and as part of the same criminal transaction and with the intent to cause serious physical injury to or the death of an additional person, caused the death of Gianna Kantanka. Initially, She attributed the children’s deaths to illness. However the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death was homicide and the cause was asphyxiation by smothering, by covering their mouths and noses, leaving visible physical injuries.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Major Case Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Wichman of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Rachael Baughman, under the supervision of Johanna Hernandez and Alexandra Militano, deputy chiefs of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, Mimi Mairs, chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Adrienne Giunta, deputy chief of the Special Victims Division and Joseph Muroff, chief of the Special Victims Division.

 

Asamoah is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

Clark thanked TPA Elaina Clarke and Carina Diaz from the Crime Victims Assistance Bureau for their assistance in the case. She also thanked NYPD Detective Nadine Burgos from the 46th Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Anthony Caltabiano from the Bronx Homicide Squad for their work on the investigation, as well as all of the emergency medical personnel from the FDNY and BronxCare Hospital Center for their assistance.

 

The Bronx DA’s domestic violence unit can be reached on (718) 838 6688.