Cristina Pangalangan: The tragic story of a disabled girl killed by her mother and her boyfriend
Cristina Pangalangan was a 13-year-old girl who had severe developmental disabilities, was non-verbal and wheelchair-bound. She died of heatstroke on August 5, 2019, after being left inside a parked car for more than five hours by her mother, Rita Pangalangan, and her mother’s boyfriend, Larry King Jr. The couple was convicted of murder and sentenced to prison on September 1, 2023.
A life of neglect and abuse
Cristina Pangalangan was born with a rare genetic disorder that affected her brain development and caused physical and mental impairments. She required constant care and supervision, as she could not speak, walk or feed herself. She lived with her mother, Rita Pangalangan, a former teacher at Colleton County Middle School, in Walterboro, South Carolina. Her father, Arnel Pangalangan, was separated from Rita and lived in another state.
According to a lawsuit filed by Cristina’s father against the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Cristina was subjected to years of neglect and abuse by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, Larry King Jr., who also had a criminal history of domestic violence and drug charges. The lawsuit claimed that DSS had received multiple reports of maltreatment of Cristina since 2016, but failed to protect her or remove her from the home.
The lawsuit alleged that Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr. often left Cristina alone in the house or in the car for hours, without food, water or air conditioning. They also failed to provide her with proper medical care, hygiene, education or stimulation. They sometimes locked her in a closet or a bathroom, or tied her to a bed or a chair. They also physically abused her by hitting, kicking, slapping or choking her.
The lawsuit also stated that Cristina Pangalangan’s siblings, who lived with their father, tried to alert DSS about the abuse, but were ignored or dismissed. They also tried to visit Cristina, but were denied access by Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr.
A horrific death of Cristina Pangalangan
On August 5, 2019, Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr. left Cristina Pangalangan inside a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta parked outside King’s house in Ruffin, South Carolina. They claimed that they went inside to do laundry and watch TV, but forgot about Cristina. They also said that they checked on her periodically, but did not notice any signs of distress.
However, evidence presented at their trial showed that they lied about their actions and intentions. Surveillance footage from King’s neighbor showed that they never checked on Cristina during the five hours and 41 minutes that she was left in the car. Witnesses also testified that they saw the couple drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana inside the house.
The temperature outside that day was around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), but inside the car it could have reached up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Cristina suffered from heatstroke, dehydration, organ failure and brain damage. Cristina Pangalangan was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
A guilty verdict and a harsh sentence
Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr. were arrested and charged with murder, criminal conspiracy and great bodily harm of a child. They pleaded not guilty and went to trial in August 2023. The trial lasted for six days and featured testimonies from witnesses, experts, family members and first responders.
The prosecution argued that the couple intentionally killed Cristina Pangalangan as part of a plan to get rid of her and free themselves from the burden of caring for her. They presented evidence of their previous abuse of Cristina, their lack of remorse after her death, their inconsistent statements to the police, and their attempts to cover up their crime.
The defense tried to portray the couple as loving parents who made a tragic mistake due to stress and fatigue. They claimed that they did not intend to harm Cristina or leave her in the car for so long. They also blamed DSS for failing to intervene or offer them any support or resources.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding both defendants guilty on all charges. The judge sentenced Rita Pangalangan to 35 years in prison for murder and 20 years for great bodily harm of a child, to run concurrently. He sentenced Larry King Jr. to 32 years for murder and 20 years for great bodily harm of a child, also to run concurrently.
The judge also denied them any possibility of parole or early release. He said that their actions were “heinous” and “inhumane” and that they showed “no regard for human life”.
A legacy of sorrow and outrage
Cristina Pangalangan’s death sparked outrage and grief among the public, especially the disability community. Many people expressed their condolences and sympathy for Cristina and her siblings, who lost their sister in such a cruel way. Many people also demanded justice and accountability for her killers and for DSS, which failed to protect her.
Cristina Pangalangan’s father, Arnel Pangalangan, said that he was devastated by his daughter’s death and that he hoped that her killers would suffer in prison. He also said that he hoped that his lawsuit against DSS would expose their negligence and incompetence and prevent similar tragedies from happening to other children.
Cristina Pangalangan’s siblings, who attended the trial, said that they loved their sister and that they missed her every day. They also said that they hoped that her story would raise awareness and compassion for people with disabilities and their families.
A table of important data
| Name | Cristina Pangalangan |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 28, 2006 |
| Date of death | August 5, 2019 |
| Cause of death | Heatstroke |
| Disability | Rare genetic disorder affecting brain development |
| Mother | Rita Pangalangan |
| Mother’s boyfriend | Larry King Jr. |
| Father | Arnel Pangalangan |
| Siblings | Four brothers and one sister |
| Murderers’ sentence | 37 years for Rita Pangalangan, 32 years for Larry King Jr., no parole |
Quick Trivia
- Cristina Pangalangan was a 13-year-old girl with severe developmental disabilities who died of heatstroke after being left in a car for more than five hours by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend.
- Cristina was subjected to years of neglect and abuse by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, who often left her alone, locked her up, or physically harmed her.
- Her father and siblings tried to alert DSS about the abuse, but were ignored or dismissed. They also tried to visit Cristina, but were denied access by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend.
- Cristina’s mother and her mother’s boyfriend were convicted of murder and sentenced to prison without parole. They lied about their actions and intentions and showed no remorse for their crime.
- Cristina’s death sparked outrage and grief among the public, especially the disability community. Many people demanded justice and accountability for her killers and for DSS, which failed to protect her.
- Cristina Pangalangan’s father filed a lawsuit against DSS, hoping to expose their negligence and incompetence and prevent similar tragedies from happening to other children.
- Cristina’s siblings said that they loved their sister and that they missed her every day. They also hoped that her story would raise awareness and compassion for people with disabilities and their families.
