Man accused of missing daughter and mother returns to Miami federal court

MIAMI – A 55-year-old man accused of the disappearance of his daughter and his mother returned to federal court on Monday.

Family and friends of Gustavo Alfonso Castaño Restrepo, the man prosecutors believe kidnapped and murdered his then-lover Liliana Moreno and her eight-year-old daughter Daniella on Memorial Day 2016, left a federal court in Miami after his arraignment.

Federal prosecutors previously told a judge that Castaño had a motive: revenge for never wanting the baby in the first place, the financial difficulties of child support and because the affair ultimately ended their marriage.

Castaño’s defense attorney, Philip Louis Reizenstein, has argued that the case is supported by assumptions and circumstantial evidence and has said prosecutors do not know how they could have died since their bodies were never found.

Facing a charge of kidnapping resulting in death, Castaño is eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

“We plead not guilty,” Reizenstein said. “We requested discovery, which is all the information in the case that the government has to provide, and we requested that the case go to trial.”

The next court hearing on this case will likely be set for next month.

“We anticipate going to trial in this case,” Reizenstein said. “The only other drawback here is that the government needs to make a decision on whether or not to seek the death penalty. If they do, it will take some work between defense attorneys, prosecutors and the court. “We are prepared for that, but of course we firmly hope that they don’t.”