Accused ‘Baby Hope’ killer Conrado Juarez – who cops say confessed to sexually assaulting and smothering his 4-year-old-cousin in 1991 in a case that haunted New York City – was indicted on charges related to the gruesome crime, prosecutors announced in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday.
“We’re filing a certificate of affirmative grand jury action,” said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Melissa Mourges before Judge Lisa Sokoloff.
Two decades ago, the innocent girl’s lifeless body was found naked and bound in a filthy cooler along the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. The tragic discovery horrified New Yorkers and baffled detectives who were unable to crack the case or even identify the young victim who became known as ‘Baby Hope.’
The case remained cold until a recent tip led authorities to 52-year-old dishwasher Juarez. Then 30 the illegal immigrant lived in a crowded Astoria home with his four-year-old cousin Anjelica Castillo and as many s a dozen others. He allegedly confessed to sodomizing and smothering the child with a pillow before dumping her malnourished body with the help of his now deceased sister.
Defense lawyer Michael Croce waived Juarez ‘s appearance for the brief proceeding Tuesday but met with him. “He’s holding up, he is resolute to see this through,” he said of the monster.
Croce questioned the reliability of Juarez’s confession – elicited after an interrogation that lasted more than 12 hours. “I don’t trust any statements that were made by any individual after being in custody for such an extended period of time,” he said. “All of those types of statements are suspect and really need to be examined for what they are.”
Juarez is criminally charged with second-degree murder. The indictment charges won’t be unsealed until his next court appearance Nov. 21.