Kenosha mother charged in death of 6-year-old daughter, 4 years later

Christina Torchia faces first-degree intentional homicide charges after new evidence emerges in 2022 case

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, worn stuffed animal against a pitch-black background, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A somber reminder that justice can take time, but must be pursued relentlessly for victims like Layla Stahl.Kenosha Today

A Kenosha, Wisconsin woman has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl. The charges come four years after Stahl's initial death, which was initially ruled inconclusive, but new evidence and a lengthy investigation led to the charges against the mother, Christina Torchia.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in determining the cause of a child's death, especially when there are no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. The persistence of investigators to re-examine the case and uncover new evidence, even years later, demonstrates their commitment to seeking justice for victims.

The details

On April 20, 2022, Kenosha County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home near 15th Place and Sheridan Road after receiving a report of an unresponsive child. 6-year-old Layla Stahl was found dead in her bedroom, but investigators did not find any obvious signs of trauma or foul play at the time. The Kenosha County Medical Examiner's Office was unable to determine Stahl's cause of death. In July 2024, detectives were investigating Stahl's mother, Christina Torchia, in connection to a case where she attempted to solicit the death of another person. Torchia pleaded guilty to solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide in that case in February 2026 and was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. In early 2026, Kenosha County Sheriff's investigators re-examined Stahl's death, developing new information around how she died. This prompted detectives to conduct a lengthy interview with Torchia on March 12, 2026, where they identified 'numerous inconsistencies and statements contradicted by evidence'. The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office then obtained a court order for the medical examiner to change Stahl's cause of death to 'homicide', and formally charged Torchia with first-degree intentional homicide.

  • On April 20, 2022, Kenosha County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home near 15th Place and Sheridan Road to reports of an unresponsive child.
  • In July 2024, detectives were investigating Stahl's mother, Christina Torchia, in connection to a case where she attempted to solicit the death of another person.
  • In February 2026, Torchia pleaded guilty to solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide in the separate case and was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.
  • In early 2026, Kenosha County Sheriff's investigators re-examined Stahl's death, developing new information around how she died.
  • On March 12, 2026, detectives conducted a lengthy interview with Torchia, where they identified 'numerous inconsistencies and statements contradicted by evidence'.

The players

Christina Torchia

A 33-year-old Kenosha woman who has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl.

Layla Stahl

A 6-year-old girl who was found dead in her bedroom in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2022.

Kenosha County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated Layla Stahl's death and ultimately charged her mother, Christina Torchia, with first-degree intentional homicide.

Kenosha County District Attorney's Office

The prosecutorial agency that obtained a court order to change Layla Stahl's cause of death to 'homicide' and formally charged Christina Torchia with first-degree intentional homicide.

Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner

The sheriff who stated that 'Time does not erase responsibility, and it does not diminish our duty to seek justice' in this case.

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What they’re saying

“Time does not erase responsibility, and it does not diminish our duty to seek justice. This case remained a priority for our investigators, even when the answers were not immediately clear. Through persistence, professionalism, and a refusal to give up, we are now in a position to move forward with charges. Layla deserved better, and we will continue to pursue justice on her behalf.”

— Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Torchia's bail status at a hearing on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough and persistent investigations, even in cases where the initial cause of death is unclear. The willingness of law enforcement to re-examine evidence and uncover new information years later demonstrates their commitment to seeking justice for victims, no matter how much time has passed.