By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-17 16:50:49 | Updated at 2026-06-17 21:18:08
4 hours ago
She also said she had struggled with anxiety, depression and PTSD.
The father of three young children who were drowned by their mother is asking a California judge to force a psychologist to hand over records that he believes could shed more light on the woman’s mental state before the killings.
Erick Denton, whose three children were killed inside a Reseda apartment by Liliana Carrillo in April 2021, filed a request Friday seeking an order requiring a psychologist to release documents tied to her evaluation of the mother.
The move comes as Denton continues to pursue a civil lawsuit he filed against members of the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging authorities failed to properly respond to warning signs that Carrillo’s mental health was deteriorating and neglected to share critical information with county social workers.
Carrillo was found legally insane in October 2024 in connection with the deaths of her children, 3-year-old Joanna, 2-year-old Terry and 6-month-old Sierra.
In January 2025, she was committed to a state hospital and ordered to serve 75 years to life.
According to court filings submitted by Denton’s attorneys, psychiatrist David S. Rad conducted a separate examination of Carrillo and referenced psychologist Nichole M. Vienna findings in his report.
Rad wrote that Vienna concluded Carrillo suffered from mental illness, racing thoughts and delusions.
He also noted Vienna believed Carrillo lacked the ability to understand that her actions were wrong.
Denton’s legal team argues that Vienna should be compelled to produce the records because her conclusions had already been disclosed during the criminal proceedings and presented to the court.
They contend the documents are no longer protected by confidentiality or privilege despite Vienna’s refusal to release them on the grounds that they contain sensitive information.
The killings shocked Southern California after Carrillo admitted in a jailhouse interview that she drowned her three children during a bitter custody dispute with her estranged husband.
“I drowned them,” Carrillo told reporters. “I did it as softly … I don’t know how to explain it, but, um, I hugged them and I kissed them and I was apologizing the whole time. I love my kids.”
Carrillo claimed she believed the children faced abuse and sexual assault from others if they remained alive.
“I wasn’t about to hand my children off to be further abused,” she said.
When asked whether she regretted what happened, she replied: “I wish my kids were alive, yes. Do I wish that I didn’t have to do that? Yes. But I prefer them not being tortured and abused on a regular basis for the rest of their life.”
Carrillo said she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the children were killed.
However, while she denied being on hard drugs or alcohol, court records show she was frequently self-medicating with marijuana.
She also said she had struggled with anxiety, depression and PTSD for much of her life and had previously attempted to seek counseling.
When asked what she would say to her children, Carrillo delivered a brief message: “I love you and I’m sorry.”
