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Killing of Nixzmary Brown

SOLVED2006Brooklyn, New York, USA3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

Nixzmary Brown (July 18, 1998 – January 11, 2006) was a seven-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York. On the night of January 10, 2006, her stepfather, César Rodriguez, beat her to death with his fists and a thick leather belt after an incident involving a cup of yogurt and a broken printer. Her mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, did not intervene as Rodriguez slammed Brown's head into a bathtub and doused her with cold water. Evidence presented at trial indicated Brown had endured prolonged abuse, including being bound to a chair with rope, bungee cord, and duct tape in a spare room containing dirty mattresses, a broken radiator, and a litter box. Traces of Brown's DNA were found on Rodriguez's belt, and her blood was found in multiple areas of the room where she was kept.

Both Rodriguez and Santiago were charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment. Each accused the other of delivering the fatal blow. At trial, the medical examiner testified that a head injury inflicted roughly two days before Brown's death caused a subdural hematoma and was the direct cause of death, with Brown remaining conscious and gasping for air for hours beforehand. Rodriguez was convicted on March 18, 2008, of first-degree manslaughter and related charges, including weapons possession and endangering the welfare of a child, and was sentenced on April 3, 2008, to 26⅓ to 29 years in prison. Santiago was later tried separately; she was acquitted of second-degree murder but convicted of manslaughter, along with earlier convictions for assault, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering Brown's welfare. She was sentenced on November 12, 2008, to 43 years in prison, later reduced on appeal to 33⅓ to 36 years.

The case drew significant public attention to the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), which had received prior complaints about Brown's family, including one in 2004 that was unsubstantiated and another on December 1, 2005, after Brown appeared at school with a black eye. A social worker at Brown's school had pleaded with ACS to remove her from the home but was unsuccessful, and an ACS specialist who observed early signs of abuse did not recommend removing Brown from the household. Six Children's Services employees were disciplined following media scrutiny, and the Bloomberg administration announced plans to hire 525 additional caseworkers. A city panel created by Mayor Michael Bloomberg recommended reforms including a 24-hour hotline, instant-response teams, new police training, and better coordination between schools and child welfare authorities regarding student absences.

In response to the case, New York State Senator Joseph Bruno proposed "Nixzmary's Law" in January 2006, aimed at increasing penalties for parents connected to a child's death. Brown's funeral was held at St. Mary's Church on Manhattan's Lower East Side, and her grandmother, Maria Gonzalez, later filed a $150 million lawsuit against the city alleging ACS negligence.

Key facts

Victims
Nixzmary Brown
Date
2006
Location
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 1998-07-18

    Nixzmary Brown is born.

  2. 2004

    ACS receives a first, later unsubstantiated, complaint regarding Brown's family.

  3. 2005-05-16

    A school guidance counselor contacts the state child abuse hotline about Brown's bruises and 46 days of school absence.

  4. 2005-11-29

    Rodriguez brings Brown to an emergency room; hospital records note no bruises present.

  5. 2005-12-01

    Brown shows up at school with a black eye, prompting a second ACS complaint; ACS specialist Vanessa Rhoden is rebuffed by Rodriguez during a visit.

  6. 2006-01-09

    Family is recorded shopping at a Target store while Brown is left at home.

  7. 2006-01-10

    Rodriguez beats Brown with his fists and a belt; Santiago fails to intervene as Rodriguez slams Brown's head into a bathtub.

  8. 2006-01-11

    Nixzmary Brown dies; a 911 call is made by a neighbor.

  9. 2006-01

    New York State Senator Joseph Bruno proposes 'Nixzmary's Law.'

  10. 2006-03

    A city panel created by Mayor Michael Bloomberg recommends ACS reforms.

  11. 2007-09

    City Council holds a hearing on ACS, cited by Councilman Bill de Blasio.

  12. 2008-01-06

    Jury selection begins in César Rodriguez's trial.

  13. 2008-01-16

    Opening statements are given in Rodriguez's trial.

  14. 2008-02

    Maria Gonzalez, Brown's grandmother, files a $150 million negligence lawsuit against New York City.

  15. 2008-03-18

    César Rodriguez is convicted of first-degree manslaughter and related charges.

  16. 2008-04-03

    Rodriguez is sentenced to 26 1/3 to 29 years in prison.

  17. 2008-09-15

    Jury selection begins in Nixzaliz Santiago's trial.

  18. 2008-11-05

    Santiago's sentencing is scheduled following her manslaughter conviction.

  19. 2008-11-12

    Santiago is sentenced to 43 years in prison.

Best coverage

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People

  • Nixzmary Brown

    VICTIM

    Seven-year-old girl who died of injuries inflicted by her stepfather; also endured prior abuse and neglect.

  • Nixzaliz Santiago

    CONVICTED

    Mother of Nixzmary Brown; acquitted of second-degree murder but convicted of manslaughter along with earlier convictions for assault, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the child's welfare; sentenced to 43 years, later reduced to 33 1/3 to 36 years on appeal.

  • César Rodriguez

    CONVICTED

    Stepfather convicted of first-degree manslaughter, weapons possession, and endangering the welfare of a child; sentenced to 26 1/3 to 29 years in prison.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Brooklyn, New York, USA

40.6782, -73.9442

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
Seven-year-old Nixzmary Brown died on January 11, 2006, in Brooklyn, New York, after being tortured, beaten, and killed by her stepfather César Rodriguez while her mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, failed to intervene; the case led to reforms at New York City's Administration for Children's Services.
Where did the killing happen?
Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Who was convicted?
Nixzaliz Santiago (Mother of Nixzmary Brown; acquitted of second-degree murder but convicted of manslaughter along with earlier convictions for assault, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the child's welfare; sentenced to 43 years, later reduced to 33 1/3 to 36 years on appeal.) and César Rodriguez (Stepfather convicted of first-degree manslaughter, weapons possession, and endangering the welfare of a child; sentenced to 26 1/3 to 29 years in prison.).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved. Last verified July 2026.
More cases in New York

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICKilling of Nixzmary BrownWikipedia · 2026-07-05
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — The New York TimesThe New York Times · 2026-07-05
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — New York PostNew York Post · 2026-07-05

Record history

First published
JUL 05, 2026
Last verified against sources
JUL 05, 2026