Vigil held for 5-year-old girl found dead in Queens

The South Richmond Hill community gathered Tuesday night to express the pain they’re feeling after the loss of 5-year-old Fabiana Cabello last week.

Neighbors and relatives gathered outside the home where the tragedy happened almost a week ago to honor Fabiana, days after her funeral.

“Completely broken,” Kuldeep Singh, Fabiana’s father, said. “She’s my princess. Whenever she’d call me, first word, ‘I love you papa.'”

Many at the vigil also expressed support for Francis Cabello, the 32-year-old mother of Fabiana who prosecutors say strangled the child to death in their home last week.

Francis’ family and Singh say she was a caring and loving mother, but was a patient in Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s psychiatric unit for a month earlier this year, and suffered from her mental illness.

Some called for more mental health and social services for the family and community in the days ahead.

“She voluntarily got herself committed for the necessary help. I think our system have failed this young woman,” Persaud said.

Cabello is facing murder charges in the death of her daughter.

NY1 has reached out to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for comment, but has not heard back.