Remembering 13-year-old Cristina Pangalangan This CP Awareness Month đź’š
content warning!!!!
This post covers the tragic neglect leading to the death of Cristina Pangalangan, a child with special needs, including suffocation and being left in a hot car. Reader discretion is advised.
Imagine For a Moment…
You awaken, disoriented, finding yourself confined to the backseat of a car. The air hangs thick and stifling, a stark contrast to the bright, mocking sunshine streaming through the windows. Your limbs feel heavy, unresponsive. You try to shout, but no sound escapes. The heat intensifies, each breath a smothering struggle. A desperate question echoes in your mind: Will anyone come? The sun’s rays beat down, turning the car into an oven. Dehydration takes hold, and you begin to aspirate. Choking, gasping, your body instinctively fights for air, but your weakened motor skills betray you. Panic grips you. Who left you here? Where are they now?
With a final gasp, your eyes close, and you are transported. A beautiful park unfolds before you, filled with vibrant flowers and a playground built just for you. Seated on a bench, you draw a deep, effortless breath. You stand, your legs strong and steady. Before you, a playground with slides and swings, surrounded by a sea of flowers. At the top, a sign in elegant script: “Cristina”.
Your alarm suddenly awakens you. You breathe a groggy sigh of relief, it was only a dream. But for 13-year-old Cristina Pangalangan, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, this was no dream. It was a nightmare that was her reality. This reality tragically ended her life.
Your Dream’s Escape, Her Trapped Reality
As the content warning above indicates, this post addresses the profoundly tragic death of 13-year-old Cristina Pangalangan. Cristina was born with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, along with significant developmental delays that severely limited her ability to communicate. On August 15, 2019, she tragically died after being left in an extremely hot car due to the inexcusable negligence of her own mother (Rita Pangalangan) and her mother’s boyfriend (Larry King, Jr).
This case is crucial for preventing future tragedies and honoring Cristina’s memory. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect, particularly for the most vulnerable among us.
This case has deeply affected me, as I share the same form of cerebral palsy as Cristina. It is my sincere hope that by shedding light on her story, we can raise awareness and ensure that others facing similar challenges never suffer the same fate.
More Than Her Disability
Cristina Pangalangan was born in 2006, in South Carolina, to parents Rita and Walter Pangalangan. Cristina lived with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, as well as multiple developmental delays. Despite her challenges, Cristina found joy in watching Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob, and other cartoons. She was also a middle school student, attending special education classes. Her multiple disabilities, including the inability to walk, talk, and care for herself, rendered her completely dependent on her mother for her everyday needs. Adding a disturbing layer to this tragedy, Rita Pangalangan was an elementary school teacher and a multi-year teacher of the year recipient. This fact raises profound questions about her understanding of child welfare and her subsequent actions that led to Cristina’s death.
The System Failed Her
Prior to Cristina’s tragic death, there were alarming signs that her safety was at risk. According to True Crime commentator and analyst Annie Elise, on her YouTube channel 10 to LIFE, Cristina’s school contacted Child Protective Services (CPS) on four separate occasions within a three-year period. These calls were prompted by concerns about untreated injuries observed on Cristina. However, these reports did not result in effective intervention. Adding to these concerns, Rita Pangalangan instructed her babysitter to never open the door to anyone, an instruction that appeared to be directly related to a prior visit from CPS when Rita was not present. This prevented CPS from conducting a welfare check on Cristina, a check her school felt was necessary. Had CPS been able to follow through with a welfare check, it is possible Cristina would still be alive today. This underscores a systemic failure.
Prior evidence of neglect
Before the tragic events of August 15, 2019, evidence revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect in Cristina’s care. Testimony from a former roommate and another witness painted a grim picture: Cristina was often left unattended, sometimes for extended periods, and her basic needs were frequently ignored. Concerns raised by those who witnessed these conditions were dismissed. This pattern of neglect laid the groundwork for the devastating events that would ultimately claim Cristina’s life.
Cristina’s Final Hours
On August 15, 2019, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Larry Eugene King placed Cristina Pangalangan in the backseat of her mother’s Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle was parked in an unshaded area of King’s front yard on Lowcountry Highway. Cristina was left in the backseat of her mother’s car for five hours and 42 minutes. This duration was recorded on King’s home surveillance system.
During the time Cristina was left inside the car, the heat index inside was likely 135 degrees, according to expert testimony. Surveillance footage showed King and Rita Pangalangan arguing, rocking on a porch swing, and embracing each other inside of the home. At one point, they went inside for nearly an hour.
About four hours after Cristina was placed in the vehicle, the couple discovered they were locked out of the car. King then drove Rita to Pangalangan’s house to retrieve a spare key fob.
Throughout this time, Cristina remained unattended and helpless in the sweltering vehicle. By the time Cristina was removed from the vehicle, her skin was blistered, and her diaper was soiled. Her body temperature was measured at 109.9 degrees. A forensic pathologist testified that vomit was found in her lungs, suggesting she aspirated stomach fluid.
The Court’s Decision and Legal Outcomes
Rita Pangalangan and Larry Eugene King were charged with murder and inflicting great bodily injury upon a child, charges that reflected the severity of their actions. After a thorough trial, a Colleton County General Sessions Court jury found both defendants guilty on all counts. Rita Pangalangan was sentenced to 37 years in prison, while Larry Eugene King received a sentence of 32 years. 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone addressed the court, stating, ‘Cristina couldn’t scream, and she couldn’t open the car door for herself. She died because the adults she depended on to keep her safe were too interested in doing drugs and having sex while Cristina literally baked to death.’ This verdict and sentencing underscored the gravity of the defendants’ neglect and the tragic loss of Cristina Pangalangan.
Cristina’s Memory: Where Do We Go From Here?
You might be asking yourself, ‘So, what’s my part in all of this?’ After recounting the tragic events, the systemic failures, and the legal outcomes, it’s natural to wonder how you, as a reader, can make a difference. The answer is that we all have a role to play in preventing similar tragedies and honoring Cristina’s memory. Here’s how you can take action….
Our Call To Action: Our Duty To Cristina
Cristina Pangalangan’s story is not just a tragedy; it’s a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those who depend on others for their survival. Her life, though tragically short, demands that we acknowledge the systemic failures that allowed her suffering to occur. We must remember her not as a statistic, but as a child who deserved safety, care, and a chance at life. Her story compels us to examine how we, as a society, protect the most vulnerable among us.
putting our call to action into motion
(Click on green links for more information.)
- CHILDHELP USA – (Provides crisis assistance and intervention for abused and neglected children. Their hotline offers immediate support and resources.)
- The Arc – (Advocates for and supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy. They offer resources and information for families and caregivers.)
- The Cerebral Palsy Foundation – (Offers information, resources, and support for individuals with cerebral palsy and their families. They also fund research and promote awareness.)
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) – ( Protects and advocates for the legal and human rights of people with disabilities. They have a network of protection and advocacy systems throughout the US.)
- Your Local Child Protective Services (CPS) – (If you suspect child abuse or neglect, contact your local CPS agency immediately. They are responsible for investigating and intervening in cases of child maltreatment.)
- National Human Trafficking Hotline – (Children with disabilities are at higher risk of human trafficking, this hotline provides 24/7 help.)
Final Thoughts
The tragic story of Cristina Pangalangan fills us with a profound sense of loss and responsibility. Despite facing immense challenges, her life held inherent value. The neglect, indifference, and systemic failures that led to her death serve as a stark warning.
Cristina’s story resonates deeply with me. Sharing the same form of cerebral palsy, I understand her vulnerability. I could easily find myself in a similar situation, trapped and alone, my cries for help going unanswered. While I might have access to my cell phone, Cristina did not have access to any such emergency devices, inside that car on her. Something as simple as dialing 911 on our cellular devices, we take for granted. Her communication difficulties only amplified her helplessness. I empathize with her fear and desperation.
We cannot allow Cristina’s story to be forgotten. Instead, let it inspire us to protect the vulnerable, challenge injustice, and create a world where every child is safe and cherished. May her memory drive change and remind us that we all have a role in safeguarding those who cannot protect themselves.
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