Rita Pangalangan is a former teacher who was found guilty of killing her 13-year-old daughter, Cristina Pangalangan, by leaving her in a hot car for hours in August 2019. She and her boyfriend, Larry King Jr., were sentenced to 18 years in prison for murder, criminal conspiracy and great bodily harm of a child.
The tragic death of Cristina Pangalangan
Cristina Pangalangan was born with severe intellectual and physical disabilities that left her confined to a wheelchair and unable to communicate verbally. She was dependent on her mother, Rita Pangalangan, for her care and well-being.
On August 5, 2019, Rita and Larry left Cristina alone in a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta parked outside of Larry’s house in Colleton County, South Carolina. They claimed that they had gone inside to get a pack of cigarettes, but security camera footage showed that they had brought Cristina into the house before returning her to the car and abandoning her for more than five hours.
The outside temperature that day was between 88 and 91 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature inside the car was estimated to have reached 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cristina died of hypothermia after suffering extreme pain and distress.
Rita Pangalangan and Larry returned to the car around 4:15 p.m. and found Cristina unresponsive. They called 911, but it was too late to save her. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
The trial and conviction of Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr.
Rita Pangalangan and Larry King Jr. were arrested and charged with murder, unlawful conduct towards a child, and criminal conspiracy. They pleaded not guilty and went to trial in August 2023.
The prosecution presented evidence that Rita and Larry had been using methamphetamine on the day of Cristina’s death, and that they had ignored Cristina’s needs while they engaged in sexual activity and watched TV in the house. They also showed that Rita had a history of neglecting Cristina, as there had been five complaints filed against her by school officials and others who had noticed signs of abuse and mistreatment.
The defense argued that Rita Pangalangan and Larry had made a terrible mistake, but that they did not intend to kill Cristina. They claimed that Rita Pangalangan loved her daughter and was a devoted mother who had won the Teacher of the Year award in 2014. They also suggested that Cristina’s death was influenced by other factors, such as her pre-existing medical conditions and the malfunctioning of the car’s air conditioning system.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Rita Pangalangan and Larry guilty on all counts. The judge sentenced them to 18 years in prison each, without the possibility of parole.
The aftermath and impact of Cristina Pangalangan’s case
Cristina Pangalangan’s case sparked outrage and grief among the public, especially among those who knew her or worked with her at school. Many people expressed their sympathy for Cristina and their anger at Rita Pangalangan and Larry for their cruelty and negligence.
Cristina’s biological father, Christopher Lewis, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rita, Larry, and the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). He accused them of failing to protect Cristina from harm and causing her death. He also sought compensation for his emotional distress and loss of companionship.
The DSS faced criticism for its handling of the previous complaints against Rita Pangalangan. The agency admitted that it had not followed its own policies and procedures in investigating the allegations of abuse and neglect. The agency also said that it had taken steps to improve its oversight and accountability.
The case also raised awareness about the challenges and risks faced by children with special needs and their caregivers. Some advocates called for more support and resources for families who struggle with caring for their disabled children. Others urged for more education and prevention efforts to prevent hot car deaths, which claim the lives of dozens of children every year in the United States.
A table of important data
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Cristina’s death | August 5, 2019 |
| Date of Rita’s and Larry’s trial | August 28-September 1, 2023 |
| Date of Rita’s and Larry’s sentencing | September 2, 2023 |
| Length of Rita’s and Larry’s prison sentence | 18 years each |
| Amount of methamphetamine in Rita’s blood | 400 ng/ml |
| Amount of methamphetamine in Larry’s blood | 480 ng/ml |
| Temperature inside the car where Cristina died | 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit |
Quick Summary
- Rita Pangalangan is a former teacher who was convicted of murdering her disabled daughter, Cristina Pangalangan, by leaving her in a hot car for hours.
- Rita’s boyfriend, Larry King Jr., was also convicted of the same crime and received the same sentence of 18 years in prison.
- Cristina was born with severe intellectual and physical disabilities that made her dependent on her mother for her care and well-being.
- Rita Pangalangan and Larry had been using methamphetamine on the day of Cristina’s death, and they had ignored Cristina’s needs while they engaged in sexual activity and watched TV in the house.
- Rita had a history of neglecting Cristina, as there had been five complaints filed against her by school officials and others who had noticed signs of abuse and mistreatment.
- Cristina’s biological father, Christopher Lewis, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rita, Larry, and the DSS for failing to protect Cristina from harm and causing her death.
- The DSS faced criticism for its handling of the previous complaints against Rita, and it admitted that it had not followed its own policies and procedures in investigating the allegations of abuse and neglect.
- The case sparked outrage and grief among the public, and raised awareness about the challenges and risks faced by children with special needs and their caregivers.
