Woman Accused Of Killing 2YO Daughter Arraigned Tuesday

MAMARONECK, NY — Cynthia Arce, who was accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter, was arraigned Tuesday. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Arce, 29, of Mamaroneck, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, a felony, in the death of Gabriella Boyd.

She also pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer and two counts of second-degree assault, felonies, in an attack on two police officers.

Arce was indicted by a grand jury Sept. 12.

Prosecutors said, on April 28, Village of Mamaroneck police responded to 507 Chestnut Ave. where Arce lived with her mother and daughter, following a call from Arce's mother, reporting that someone was dying.

When the officers arrived, they found Boyd unresponsive on her bed. Officers immediately began trying to resuscitate the child.

While clearing the house, other officers found Arce in an adjacent bedroom behind a closed door.

Police said she had her hands hidden behind her back and refused to comply with repeated police commands to show her hands.

She then brought both of her hands from behind her back and above her shoulders revealing two large knives — one in each hand, police said.

Arce charged at the officers, repeatedly slashing at two of them, according to prosecutors.

When stun guns did not subdue her, a third officer shot her, which ended the confrontation.

Officers continued their efforts to resuscitate the child until paramedics arrived.

Boyd was taken to White Plains Hospital where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy ruled her death was a homicide.

Two Mamaroneck village police officers were injured as a result of the confrontation.

Arce was taken to Westchester County Medical Center where she was treated for several weeks for her gunshot injuries. She was arrested at the hospital, charged and sent by a judge to the Westchester County Jail where she has remained since.

Her next court appearance will be for a conference Oct. 2.

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Photo caption: From left, attorney Richard Portale and Cynthia Arce. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney's Office.