Oxnard Mother Charged with Murder of Two Newborns Following Decades-Span Investigation

Marisol Flores, 30, faces life in prison for the alleged murders of her newborns in 2015 and 2026. Proceedings are suspended pending a competency exam.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 4:13 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CBS Los Angeles (KCAL/KCBS)

A Dual Investigation into Infant Deaths

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has expanded a current homicide case into a double murder investigation involving a 30-year-old mother. Marisol Flores was initially taken into custody regarding the death of her newborn at a homeless encampment in Oxnard in February 2026. However, as detectives processed evidence from the recent scene, they moved to reopen a cold case from over a decade ago. Flores now faces two counts of murder and two counts of assault on a child causing death, representing two separate incidents from 2015 and 2026.

New Evidence in 2015 Cold Case

The second set of charges stems from the death of Flores’ 25-day-old infant in 2015. While the original investigation did not result in charges at the time, prosecutors stated that "new evidence" has since been uncovered that directly links Flores to the infant's death. The District Attorney’s Office has included several special allegations in the filing, including the use of a deadly weapon and the vulnerability of the victims. These aggravating factors make Flores eligible for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if she is convicted on all counts.

Suspension of Criminal Proceedings

The legal process for Flores has been paused due to concerns regarding her mental state. During a recent court appearance, Flores’ defense attorney declared doubt regarding her competency to stand trial. Under California law, this declaration necessitates an immediate suspension of criminal proceedings. The court has appointed a psychologist to conduct a formal evaluation of Flores to determine if she understands the charges against her and can assist in her own defense.