COLD CASE ARREST 1993 - SANDRA GUADALUPE-CASTRO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLD CASE ARREST - 1993
Homicide (joint arrest with the Reading Police Department)
 

DEFENDANT:      Sandra Guadalupe-Castro (57 years of age)
                             Reading, PA

CHARGES:      Murder of the First Degree
                        Murder of Third Degree


DETIALS OF INCIDENT:

On January 8, 1993, a 2-year-old male was transported from 1049 Franklin Street, Reading City, to St. Joseph’s Hospital, 215 N. 12th Street, where he was pronounced dead at 12:50 PM. Initial investigation determined the child suffered multiple blunt impact injuries to the head and multiple bruises at various stages of healing. The death was ruled a homicide by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman.

Detectives from the Reading Police Department conducted a criminal investigation in 1993 that included numerous interviews with the victim’s immediate and extended family and others familiar with the child. At the time of his death, the victim resided with his father and his father’s paramour, Sandra Guadalupe-Castro. Despite extensive efforts at that time, no arrests were made.

In 2025, under Berks County District Attorney John Adams’ Cold Case Initiative, the Reading Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit and Berks County Detectives reopened and jointly reviewed the case. Investigators re-interviewed numerous individuals and methodically re-examined medical records and forensic findings. Consultation with Dr. Neil Hoffman established that the fatal injuries were inflicted shortly before the child’s death, allowing detectives to narrow the timeline and focus on the victim’s activities on the morning of January 8, 1993. Investigators determined the child was in the sole care and supervision of the defendant in the hours preceding his death.

A criminal complaint charging the defendant with Murder of the First Degree and Murder of the Third Degree was filed on October 7, 2025, by the Reading Police Department and Berks County Detectives. A warrant for the defendant’s arrest was issued on October 7, 2025, by Magisterial District Judge Carissa Johnson.

On October 7, 2025, Berks County Detectives took the defendant into custody at her residence. The defendant was transported to the Berks County Central Processing Center at the county courthouse for fingerprinting, photographing, and arraignment.

An arrest or filing of a criminal complaint is an accusation only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.