111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plians, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 995-3586
Fax: (914) 995-2116

Dec. 18, 2012 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Manuela Maria Morgado (DOB 01/01/66) of 1035 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck Village, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging her with:

• one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class "A-1" Felony,

relating to the death of her four year old son.

On Oct. 1, 2012, at approximately 10:43 a.m., Mamaroneck Village police responded to 1035 East Boston Post Road where they found the defendant in her bedroom in a semi-conscious state with an unresponsive four old child.

The defendant was taken to Sound Shore Medical Center for treatment.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police secured the scene, initiated an investigation and subsequently arrested the defendant at the hospital.

Search warrants were executed for various items in the apartment and at the hospital.

The investigation into the circumstances of the child's death is ongoing.

"Manuela Morgado took the life of her own innocent four year old son in a horribly misguided attempt to make sure the child's father would not have anything more to do with their lives, said District Attorney Janet DiFiore after the defendant was arraigned. "The fact that the defendant, over an extended period of time, methodically planned, purchased the materials used and carried out the crime, made the ultimate outcome all the more tragic."

The defendant was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

Her next court date will be on Jan. 10, 2013.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of twenty five years to life in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Christine Hatfield, Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Bureau, is prosecuting the case.

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.