News

Murder charges expected after death of toddler

Hector Armando Romero Castillo

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 28, 2026

Detectives and prosecutors are expected to change a felony child-abuse charge to murder after the death of a toddler.

Sheriff Lowell Griffin brought up the death of Luna Rodriguez last week when he was called on to make a budget presentation before the Henderson County Board of Commissioners.

“I'd like to take a moment to thank the staff and to thank the people of the county for offering prayers for Baby Luna because that was just an extremely tragic case, one I hope that I never see again in my career,” he said of the death of the child, who was 22 months old.

Sheriff’s detectives two weeks ago charged Luna’s father, Hector Armando Romero Castillo, 30, of East Flat Rock, with felony child abuse inflicting serious injury after reports of the child’s injuries.  The girl’s mother, 35-year-old Lorena Magdaly Rodriguez Granados, was charged with felony counts of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. She remains jailed in Henderson County’s Detention Center under a $300,000 bond.

During the May 20 county commission meeting, Griffin also told commissioners, in response to a question about how surveillance cameras along roads and highways are used, that the so-called Flock system had helped detectives find Castillo after he ran.

“We were able to use those cameras to help us locate the suspect in Shreveport, Louisiana,” he said.

While Castillo remains jailed in Louisiana, detectives here are continuing to investigate the case.

“I think she right now is facing an immigration hold,” he said. “They’re taking their time as they conduct a more thorough investigation as to who is exactly responsible before they look to upgrade charges, because time is on our side.”

Records from the Bossier Parish in Louisiana show that Castillo remains jailed after law officers arrested him at 2:41 a.m. Saturday.