New Jersey mom battling 'post-partum depression' arrested for stabbing infant to death
PENNS GROVE, NEW JERSEY: A new mother was arrested and charged with the murder of her five-month-old daughter. The woman identified as Kristhie Alcazar allegedly stabbed the infant to death. She was arrested on the night of December 3 after police responded to her Penns Grove residence and found the infant dead. The child's body was discovered with multiple stab wounds around the chest area. Police found Alcazar arguing with another person when they reached the residence.
In the past, we've reported on similar incidents including the case of Los Angeles mom Sandra Chico who is suspected of killing her three biological kids, including a newborn. She allegedly had symptoms of postpartum depression which she developed after giving birth to her youngest child. The children were identified on Tuesday, June 29 as Mia Rodriguez, 4, Mason Rodriguez, 3, and Milan Rodriguez, who was 1 month old. Chico was arrested on June 29 after preliminary findings and was charged with the killings in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on three counts of murder and assault on a child causing death, according to the LA County District Attorney's Office. The cause of death wasn't immediately released. In a statement, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said, “In an instant, three innocent children were taken from us and we are crestfallen. Nothing is more heartbreaking than the tragic betrayal of a parent failing to protect their children.”
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Neighbors claimed Kristhie Alcazar appeared to be a 'good mother'
Alcazar's neighbors claim Kristhie Alcazar appeared to be a 'good mother' and was rumored to be suffering from postpartum depression. One of them told CBS 3 she witnessed what happened after the baby was stabbed to death inside Alcazar's apartment. “When I first came out they were putting the lady in handcuffs. They were putting her in the car," the neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous said. “The EMS went in there and when they came out and left I knew the baby was dead because they would’ve transported her,” the neighbor said, adding, “She seemed like such a good mom, but they said she had post-partum and I have no idea what that’s like so I can’t judge."
The baby's death was ruled a homicide as a result of multiple stab wounds. Several knives and other undisclosed evidence have been recovered from Alcazar's apartment. She is currently being held in Salem County Jail on murder charges and a weapons offense. An investigation is underway in this case and anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact Salem County Prosecutor's Office at (856) 935-7510 or the Penns Grove Police Department at (856) 299-0056.