A Lancaster, California father has been arrested and charged with the killing of his two young daughters in what the Los Angeles County District Attorney described as “an astonishing act of brutality.”

The city of Lancaster, California, was shaken when local authorities arrested 38-year-old Prospero Guadalupe Serna following the fatal attack on his children. The incident, which unfolded late Saturday night on October 29, 2023, left the community in disbelief and mourning.

Seven-year-old Ziasia Serna and three-year-old Najila Serna were the victims of this tragic event. It’s reported that both girls were subjected to a beating and stabbing, which led to their untimely deaths. In addition to the killings, two other siblings sustained lacerations in the attack. Thankfully, their injuries were not life-threatening.

The distressing scene was first discovered by deputies responding to a desperate 911 call from the children’s mother. She reported a horrific scene: her children were being violently assaulted in their own home. When law enforcement arrived, they found evidence of the vicious assault and quickly launched a search for the suspect.

Prospero Guadalupe Serna, after fleeing the scene, was soon located by sheriff’s deputies. His arrest was not without struggle, as he engaged in a violent altercation with the officers before being taken into custody.

The charges against Serna are severe and numerous. They include two counts of murder in the first degree, one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault on a child under eight resulting in death, and one count of child abuse. Given the gravity of these charges, Serna faces the grim prospect of life imprisonment without the chance of parole if convicted.

The District Attorney’s office in Los Angeles County has expressed a strong commitment to seeking justice for Ziasia and Najila Serna. Their focus is on a rigorous pursuit of the case in honor of the young lives lost.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the surviving children have been placed under protective custody. The authorities are ensuring their safety and are working on long-term arrangements for their welfare.