Pamela Cabrera: Mentally ill mom admits to kidnapping daughter, 5, abandoning her to die in sinking car

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: A 33-year-old woman kidnapped her 5-year-old daughter and caused her death after she crashed her car into a pond in Jacksonville, during a police chase, and then abandoned her in the sinking car. 

In a recent court session, Pamela Tereza Cabrera pleaded guilty to killing her daughter, Vanity, after she did not attempt to rescue the victim from the submerged vehicle. 

Cabrera is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated felony fleeing or attempting to elude, which resulted in a death.

A hearing has been tentatively scheduled for the week of March 4 to determine her sentencing as per Law&Crime.

What did authorities report?

According to authorities in Duval County, Florida, it is alleged that Cabreba abducted the child on March 31, 2022.

During the subsequent 30-mile high-speed chase, Cabrera, in her attempt to flee, ran every red light from Biscayne Boulevard to I-95 South. Her erratic driving included crossing lanes at high speed, and nearly colliding with other drivers. 

The authorities reported, "The suspect attempted to take the exit for 9B West, but at the last minute she decided to go straight towards 9B East,” 

Additionally, they stated, “While continuing at a high rate of speed, the suspect failed to negotiate the turn on the ramp, which caused the vehicle to go into a retention pond."

They added, "Once the vehicle was submerged, the suspect escaped the vehicle and held onto a tire to stay afloat. The suspect observed the officers in the water and was yelling, ‘Help me. Save me.'”

However, she did not attempt to rescue her daughter, who remained trapped in the front seat as the car sank to the bottom of the pond. The sheriff’s office dive team later recovered the child's body.

Did Pamela Cabrera suffer from mental illnesses?

Records obtained by Jacksonville CBS affiliate WJAX indicate that Cabrera suffered from mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

According to reports, she allegedly relinquished custody of Vanity to the Department of Children and Families, and the child was subsequently placed with her sister.

Cabrera's mother had reportedly attempted to seek assistance for her daughter, even pursuing power of attorney to assist in decision-making.