Virginia Man Charged With Strangling Infant Sister Using Charging Cord

Alvaro Mejia-Ayala, a 21-year-old man from Leesburg, Virginia, has been arrested and charged with felony strangulation after allegedly strangling his infant sister with a white USB charging cord. The infant was found unresponsive with the cord still around her neck and was rushed to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Mejia-Ayala fled the scene on foot but was apprehended about five hours later within walking distance of the family apartment. Authorities reported that the suspect contacted a friend requesting a ride, admitting he was "playing with his sister and may have killed her." Legal experts note that the case's severity hinges on the infant's recovery, with potential penalties ranging from a Class 6 felony to a capital case if the child succumbs to her injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed against Mejia-Ayala as authorities continue to probe the incident.