Simi, mother of five children killed in a knife attack, was recalled because she prioritized the children

“She made sure her children came first,” said Mary Rachida Crockett, the mother of Jessica Tinoco, who died Sept. 27 after the stabbing attack at her Simi Valley home. Tinoco raised the children — four girls and a boy, ages 5 to 14 — as a single parent.

Ramon Joseph Rivas, 34, described by police as her live-in boyfriend, has been charged with murder in connection with Tinoco’s death. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, he is also charged with two counts of child endangerment because two of their children were present at the stabbing.

As the case unfolded, Crockett shared her thoughts about a daughter she said made her proud.

“Jessica learned from my mistakes and was a better wife and mother than I was,” Crockett said. “She was a beautiful person inside and out. She would do anything for anyone.