Plainview Mother Sentenced to Prison for Killing Disabled Daughter

A Plainview woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing her 8-year-old disabled daughter by intentionally feeding her food she was allergic to in 2011, according to the Office of the Nassau County District Attorney.

Veronica Cirella, 34, who pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter in May, admitted in court on Friday to intentionally causing her daughter physical harm, which ultimately led to the child’s death, the DA said.

On July 23, 2011, Cirella’s daughter Julie, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was found by her uncle unconscious and not breathing on the floor of her home.

The young girl was declared dead at the scene. Julie was supposed to be the flower girl at her uncle’s wedding that same day.

More:

• Plainview Woman Pleads Guilty to Killing Disabled Daughter
• Grand Jury Indicts Flower Girl’s Mom on Murder Charges
• Crimes Nearby: Plainview Mother Charged With Manslaughter

Cirella was also found in the home unconscious with a wire tied around her neck and prosecutors said a suicide note of sorts was found. It read: “her daughter should die.”

According to police, Cirella said she gave her daughter peanut-laced food that she knowingly knew her daughter was allergic to. She claimed to give Julie a Benadryl and an EpiPen, although none of those drugs were found in Julie’s system. Medical examiners determined that Julie died of asphyxiation, but could not determine the exact cause.

“Julie Cirella’s young life was cut tragically short by the one person who should have protected her,” Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement. “While nothing can bring this young victim back, I commend our prosecutors and partners in law enforcement for bringing justice in this case. Our thoughts and prayers are with Julie and her loved ones.”