New York Daily News

NO WARNING

ACS: Signs of abuse not seen in Queens home where tot was fatally beaten

- BY THOMAS TRACY, ROCCO PARASCANDO­LA AND LARRY MCSHANE With Ellen Moynihan

A child welfare worker saw not one sign of abuse while visiting the Queens home where twin 1-year-olds were savagely beaten two days later — with one killed by her injuries, sources said Friday.

There were also no prior complaints or allegation­s that the five children living with allegedly drug-addled mom Tina Torabi were ever victims of violence in their basement apartment until cops arrived Wednesday, said one source with knowledge of the case.

“The (Administra­tion for Children’s Services) workers did not observe anything suspicious or anything that would have indicated abuse,” according to the source.

The mother of tiny victim Elaina Torabi has yet to make any statements about what happened inside the family’s home after she made a frantic 911 call Wednesday night, another source said. Tina Torabi was quickly grabbed for questionin­g when cops found the two abused toddlers fighting to survive.

The 30-year-old mom, wearing a black jacket, black skirt, leggings and flip-flops, emerged Friday from the 111th Precinct stationhou­se after almost two days in custody. She stared at the ground and shook her head no when asked for comment.

But no charges were yet filed in the unconscion­able killing of Elaina. Police were waiting until an autopsy was finished on the little girl, with further study pending in the case, authoritie­s said.

Torabi was charged with assault for the ferocious beating inflicted on the dead girl’s twin brother Kian — who remained hospitaliz­ed with fractured ribs, a broken tibia, internal bleeding and assorted cuts and bruises. Torabi’s three other kids — ages 2, 4 and 5 years old — showed signs of malnourish­ment when found by first responders.

At a hearing Friday evening in Queens Criminal Court, Torabi was ordered held without bail.

Questions lingered Friday about a Manhattan Family Court judge’s decision six months ago to return custody of the kids to Torabi. The mom lost custody for six months after the twins were born in August 2017 with opioids in their systems.

“She was a junkie,” said a source. “What was her interest? Her kids or her drugs? She should not have gotten those kids back.”

The newborns were turned over to one of their grandmothe­rs before they were returned to live with Torabi in the Auburndale house of future horrors. A memorial grew Friday outside the home, with flowers and stuffed animals along with pink and white candles. A single sympathy card was tucked in between a pair of plush bears.

The mother — who collapsed tears as her battered kids were loaded into ambulances — never offered detectives any explanatio­n for the horrifying injuries suffered by her children.

Sources said the home was no stranger to domestic violence: Torabi was repeatedly assaulted by her estranged husband until ACS obtained a restrainin­g order against him this past January. Three years ago in Texas, her husband pleaded guilty to choking Torabi.

The battered wife was even bitten during some of the episodes, according to sources. When bite marks were discovered on the body of toddler Elaina, police began to consider whether the dad was involved — and cops became interested in interviewi­ng the father as the investigat­ion continues.

 ?? DAVID WEXLER FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ?? A small memorial is set up at the home where 1-year-old twins were beaten — one fatally — to death on Wednesday. The kids’ mom, Tina Torabi (below) was taken into custody for questionin­g. There was a total of five kids in the home.
DAVID WEXLER FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS A small memorial is set up at the home where 1-year-old twins were beaten — one fatally — to death on Wednesday. The kids’ mom, Tina Torabi (below) was taken into custody for questionin­g. There was a total of five kids in the home.
 ??  ?? THEODORE PARISIENNE /NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
THEODORE PARISIENNE /NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

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