Alabama man pleads guilty in son's death; grandmother speaks out
Share and Follow


DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — After nearly four years behind bars, Rolando Castillo Jr. has been given a 20-year sentence after confessing in a Houston County courtroom Tuesday morning he murdered his three-month-old son Desmond Karl Castillo.

Karen Nolen, the grandmother of Desmond Castillo believes the sentencing for her grandson is a little lenient for the crime.

“I’m glad that he admitted that he had done it the sentence was shocking he should have at least got life Desmond got the death penalty at three months old,” Nolen said.

Just two days into the year 2018, DPD officers and emergency personnel responded to a home on Coral Lane where there was a report of a child not breathing.

After arriving at the scene, they found Rolando Castillo and the mother of Desmond performing CPR to try to save him before being transported to Flowers hospital.

“The time I got to the hospital he was gone. I saw Desmond come into this world and I saw Desmond leave the world,” His grandmother said.

The autopsy came back from medical examiners that Desmond Castillo died from blunt trauma to the head and torso.

During exclusive interviews four years after 2018 in march, WDHN spoke to both the grandmother and her daughter, Carla the mother of Desmond Castillo.

Although the father, Rolando, was arrested in April of that year, the family was still unsure about who killed Desmond.

“This is not about my daughter, or me, or about Roland this is about Desmond we need to know what happened to that baby and now the truth has come out,” She said.

Nolen says overall it’s a tragedy for their family and it’s not a day goes by that she doesn’t think about her grandson and she will continue to remember him by passing out stickers and signs as she has done for the past four years.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
World War III will start with Xi and Putin invasions, warns NATO chief

NATO Chief Warns of Potential Invasions by Xi and Putin Leading to World War III

NATO chief Mark Rutte has chillingly warned that World War III will…
Road rage incident leaves girl, 5, shot in leg -- and the bullet in her sippy cup

Violent confrontation on the road results in a 5-year-old girl getting shot in the leg, with the bullet ending up in her drinking cup.

A 5-year-old girl was shot through the leg — with the bullet…
Wife defends husband as he learns fate on child pornography charges

Wife supports husband facing consequences for child pornography accusations

A famous influencer who shares beautiful moments from her travels with her…
Dalai Lama turns 90, gets global support in challenge for China

Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday with worldwide support amidst tensions with China

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, turned 90 on…
Late Queen's verdict on Meghan was 'uncharacteristically damning'

Late Queen’s criticism of Meghan was unusually harsh

The late Queen Elizabeth allegedly ‘saw through’ Meghan Markle, and claimed her…
Musk launches 'America Party' in response to 'insane' Trump tax bill passing

Elon Musk starts ‘America Party’ to counteract ‘crazy’ Trump tax law approval

Elon Musk threatened to form a new party if President Donald Trump’s…
I overheard my brother fighting with his wife — should I say something?

Should I intervene when I overheard my brother arguing with his wife?

DEAR ABBY: I recently received a voicemail from my brother that recorded…
'What I lost isn't coming back': Woman reflects on one year since shark attack

Reflecting on a year after a shark attack: Accepting what has been lost

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (KVEO) On July 4, 2024, Tabatha Sullivent was…