Wisconsin Mom Accused of Killing 6-Year-Old Daughter Nearly 4 Years Later as New Evidence Emerges

A woman from Wisconsin is now being accused of murdering her 6-year-old daughter, who died in 2022. At the time of the 6-year-old's death, authorities ruled the death “undetermined” because no definitive cause was found.

A press release from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office on April 7, 2026, determined that a 2022 case involving the death of a 6-year-old is now being treated as a homicide after further investigation. Nearly four years later, new evidence led the sheriff’s office to reclassify the case.

The 6-year-old victim, identified as Layla Stahl, was found with no “obvious signs of trauma or foul play, ' according to authorities at the time of discovery. Officers discovered her body inside a bedroom in Kenosha, according to the sheriff’s office.

The mother of the victim, identified as Christina L. Torchia, is now being charged with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with her daughter's death in 2022.

“The case remained a priority to us even when the answers were not clear,” Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner said in a statement. “Layla deserved better, and we will continue to pursue justice on her behalf,” he added.

In a statement released by the sheriff’s office, more than two years after Layla’s death, detectives said they were investigating another case involving Torchia in which she allegedly attempted to solicit the homicide of another individual. However, additional details regarding the alleged solicitation attempt were not provided.

Torchia later pleaded guilty to solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide in the related case and was sentenced to the maximum penalty according to the sheriff’s office. On March 30, 2026, she was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison, with credit for 622 days served, according to court records reviewed by US Weekly Show.

A comment from the public defender who represented the accused was not available. It was also not immediately clear if Torchia has retained an attorney in connection with the homicide charges related to her daughter’s death.

Earlier in 2026, investigators revisited the circumstances of Stahl’s death. Detectives conducted an extensive review of evidence, re-interviewed witnesses, and pursued additional leads, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives also interviewed Torchia, who allegedly gave inconsistent statements regarding her daughter and evidence in the case, according to authorities.

Torchia has agreed to allow the court to consider the charges filed against her in another criminal case if she is sentenced for another crime, according to court records.