A woman accused of repeatedly stabbing her five-year-old granddaughter in a frenzied attack is facing more than 30 years behind bars.
Suspect Aurora Villacorta from the city of Paterson, in the US state of New Jersey, was arrested after cops received a call about the incident in the area of Carrol Street and Goodwin Avenue, on Wednesday, 11th October.
Upon arriving at the residence at about 4.10pm, police officers reportedly found the injured girl and determined that the 51-year-old woman was the one who allegedly stabbed her.
Astonishingly the granddaughter survived the attack and is in hospital in a stable condition, Paterson mayor Andre Sayeghmayor told local media.
Prosecutors say Villacorta has been charged with second and third-degree aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
She is also facing two weapons charges, according to local media.
Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “Based on the investigation, police determined that Aurora Villacorta, the child’s grandmother, had stabbed the victim, and she was placed under arrest.”
Villacorta is being held in jail pending her trial and is due in court for a hearing on 16th October.
The police and prosecutors have not revealed why she carried out the attack.
Prosecutors said: “Despite the accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law.”
