Authorities say a Cecil County woman who publicly shared messages mourning the death of her 5-week-old daughter—and later created a GoFundMe—has now been charged in connection with the infant’s death.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit announced the arrest of 24-year-old Destiny Faith Chiveral of Charlestown, Maryland. Investigators said Chiveral faces charges including first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, and additional related offenses. She is being held without bond at the Cecil County Detention Center.
Police said the infant, identified as Chiveral’s 5-week-old daughter Kai’Ella, was found dead on December 4, 2025. Around 9:00 a.m., law enforcement and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call at a residence in the unit block of Leedle Circle in Rising Sun, Maryland. Emergency responders pronounced the child dead at the scene, and state police immediately opened a death investigation.
Authorities said the baby’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, where an autopsy reportedly found evidence of trauma, prompting further investigative steps. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit then took over as the primary agency handling the case.
Working with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, detectives executed search warrants on Chiveral’s cellphone, her person, and two residences connected to the investigation. Police said evidence collected during those searches provided probable cause supporting the murder and child abuse charges.
Chiveral was arrested without incident and taken to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing. She later appeared before a district court commissioner and was ordered held without bond pending additional legal proceedings.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
