Plainview Woman Pleads Guilty to Killing Disabled Daughter

A Plainview mother pleaded guilty Thursday to killing her 8-year-old daughter by intentionally feeding her food she was allergic to in 2011.

Veronica Cirella, 34, of Shelly Court, pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter and could be sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to the Office of the Nassau County District Attorney.

Cirella’s daughter Julie, who suffered from cerebral palsy and was disabled, was found by her uncle unconscious and not breathing on the floor of her home on July 23, 2011, the day that she was supposed to be the flower girl at her uncle’s wedding

The young girl was declared dead at the scene.

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Cirella was 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 these drugs were found in Julie’s system. Medical examiners determined that Julie died of asphyxiation but could not determine the cause.

“Julie Cirella’s young life was cut tragically short by the one person who should have protected her, her mother,” Acting DA Madeline Singas said in a statement. “I commend our prosecutors for their dogged commitment to bringing justice for the young victim in this case. Our thoughts and prayers are with Julie and her loved ones.”

Cirella is due back in court on Tuesday, June 30.

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