Mother charged in 2022 death of 6-year-old daughter in Kenosha

Layla Stahl's death was ruled a homicide after a years-long investigation

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, worn stuffed animal against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the loss of a young life and the gritty investigation into her death.A haunting close-up of a child's belongings highlights the tragedy of Layla Stahl's unsolved death and the pursuit of justice.Kenosha Today

A Kenosha County mother has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her six-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl. The case went unsolved for nearly four years until a separate investigation in 2024 prompted detectives to re-examine the evidence and ultimately change the manner of Layla's death to homicide.

Why it matters

The tragic death of a young child is always deeply impactful on a community. This case highlights the challenges of investigating complex cases, the importance of perseverance in seeking justice, and the lasting trauma experienced by loved ones when a child's death remains unexplained.

The details

On April 20, 2022, sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Somers, Wisconsin after receiving a call about an unresponsive child. Layla Stahl, age 6, was found deceased in her bedroom, with no obvious signs of trauma or foul play at the time. The investigation stalled until 2024, when detectives became involved in a separate case involving Layla's mother, Christina L. Torchia, 33, in which she attempted to solicit the homicide of another individual. Torchia later pleaded guilty to Solicitation of First-Degree Intentional Homicide. This new information prompted detectives to re-examine the evidence in Layla's death, leading to a lengthy interview with Torchia in which inconsistencies were identified. After consulting with the District Attorney's Office and Medical Examiner, Layla's manner of death was officially changed to homicide, and Torchia has now been charged with First-Degree Intentional Homicide.

  • On April 20, 2022, sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Somers, Wisconsin after receiving a call about an unresponsive child.
  • In July 2024, sheriff's detectives became involved in a separate investigation involving Torchia, in which she attempted to solicit the homicide of another individual.
  • In early 2026, investigators conducted an extensive review of evidence, re-interviewed witnesses, and pursued new investigative leads.
  • On March 12, 2026, detectives conducted a lengthy interview with Torchia, during which they identified numerous inconsistencies and statements contradicted by the evidence.
  • In March 2026, a Kenosha County judge approved the request to officially change Layla Stahl's manner of death to homicide.

The players

Christina L. Torchia

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

Layla Stahl

A six-year-old girl who was found deceased in her bedroom in April 2022, with her manner of death later changed to homicide.

Veronica Foster

A long-time family friend of Layla Stahl who remembers her as a joyful child who 'lit up any day'.

Sheriff Zoerner

The Kenosha County Sheriff who released a statement saying 'Time does not erase responsibility, and it does not diminish our duty to seek justice' in Layla's case.

Patrice Hall

The Kenosha County Medical Examiner who was consulted in the investigation and the decision to change Layla's manner of death to homicide.

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What they’re saying

“She just lit up any day. It was like she was just so full of joy — and you don't sometimes realize till that joy is not there anymore how much they really did affect even just your day, your weeks, just every single day.”

— Veronica Foster, Long-time family friend

“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. Layla deserved better, and we will continue to pursue justice on her behalf.”

— Sheriff Zoerner

What’s next

Torchia is currently serving time for the 2024 solicitation charge, and her court date in the homicide case has been moved. Authorities will continue to follow this case as it moves through the courts.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the challenges of investigating complex crimes, the importance of perseverance in seeking justice for victims, and the lasting impact on a community when a child's death remains unexplained for years. It underscores the need for thorough and diligent investigations, even when the answers are not immediately clear.