Remembering 13-year-old Cristina Pangalangan This CP Awareness Month 💚
CONTENT WARNING: This post covers the tragic neglect leading to the death of Cristina Pangalangan, a child with special needs, including suffocation and being left in a hot car. Reader discretion is advised.
Imagine For a Moment…
You awaken, disoriented, finding yourself confined to the backseat of a car. The air hangs thick and stifling, a stark contrast to the bright, mocking sunshine streaming through the windows. Your limbs feel heavy, unresponsive. You try to shout, but no sound escapes. The heat intensifies, each breath a smothering struggle. A desperate question echoes in your mind: Will anyone come? The sun’s rays beat down, turning the car into an oven. Dehydration takes hold, and you begin to aspirate. Choking, gasping, your body instinctively fights for air, but your weakened motor skills betray you. Panic grips you. Who left you here? Where are they now?
With a final gasp, your eyes close, and you are transported. A beautiful park unfolds before you, filled with vibrant flowers and a playground built just for you. Seated on a bench, you draw a deep, effortless breath. You stand, your legs strong and steady. Before you, a playground with slides and swings, surrounded by a sea of flowers. At the top, a sign in elegant script: “Cristina.”
Your alarm suddenly awakens you. You breathe a groggy sigh of relief—it was only a dream. But for 13-year-old Cristina Pangalangan, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, this was no dream. It was a nightmare that was her reality. This reality tragically ended her life.
Your Dream’s Escape, Her Trapped Reality
Cristina was born with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, along with significant developmental delays that severely limited her ability to communicate. On August 15, 2019, she tragically died after being left in an extremely hot car due to the inexcusable negligence of her own mother (Rita Pangalangan) and her mother’s boyfriend (Larry King, Jr).
This case is crucial for preventing future tragedies and honoring Cristina’s memory. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect, particularly for the most vulnerable among us. This case has deeply affected me, as I share the same form of cerebral palsy as Cristina. It is my sincere hope that by shedding light on her story, we can raise awareness and ensure that others facing similar challenges never suffer the same fate.
More Than Her Disability
Cristina Pangalangan was born in 2006, in South Carolina. Despite her challenges, Cristina found joy in watching Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob, and other cartoons. She was a middle school student attending special education classes. Her multiple disabilities rendered her completely dependent on her mother for her everyday needs. Adding a disturbing layer to this tragedy, Rita Pangalangan was an elementary school teacher and a multi-year "Teacher of the Year" recipient—a fact that raises profound questions about her understanding of child welfare.
The System Failed Her
Prior to Cristina’s death, there were alarming signs. According to True Crime analyst Annie Elise (10 to LIFE), Cristina’s school contacted Child Protective Services (CPS) four times within three years due to untreated injuries. However, these reports did not result in effective intervention. Rita Pangalangan also instructed her babysitter to never open the door to anyone, which prevented CPS from conducting a necessary welfare check.
Cristina’s Final Hours
On August 15, 2019, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Larry Eugene King placed Cristina in the backseat of a Volkswagen Jetta. She was left there for five hours and 42 minutes. Surveillance footage showed King and Rita Pangalangan arguing, rocking on a porch swing, and embracing each other inside the home while the heat index inside the car reached an estimated 135 degrees. By the time she was removed, her body temperature was 109.9 degrees.
The Court’s Decision
Rita Pangalangan and Larry Eugene King were found guilty of murder and inflicting great bodily injury upon a child. Rita was sentenced to 37 years; Larry received 32 years. Solicitor Duffie Stone stated: “Cristina couldn’t scream, and she couldn’t open the car door for herself. She died because the adults she depended on... were too interested in doing drugs and having sex while Cristina literally baked to death.”
Our Call To Action: Our Duty To Cristina
We must remember Cristina not as a statistic, but as a child who deserved safety and care. Her story compels us to examine how we protect the most vulnerable. I have added some resources below in order to exercise or call to action. I believe that not only is it important to tell these stories, but to give out resources in order to start making a change. Below are just some of the resources that are found on my website
Wheelchair Detective.
- CHILDHELP USA: Crisis assistance for abused children.
- The Arc: Advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
- The Cerebral Palsy Foundation: Resources and support for families of loved ones with cerebral palsy, as well as serving the community of individual adults with CP.
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): The nation’s largest legal advocacy network dedicated to protecting the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through federal oversight and crisis investigation.
Final Thoughts
Cristina’s story resonates deeply with me. Sharing the same form of cerebral palsy, I understand her vulnerability. I could easily find myself in a similar situation, trapped and alone. Something as simple as dialing 911 is a privilege she did not have. May her memory drive change and remind us that we all have a role in safeguarding those who cannot protect themselves.
Until next time, be wise, stay safe, support & respect one another!
~Jennifer aka “Wheelchair Detective" 💚
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