Erica Byfield reporting on the act of domestic violence that leaves one woman in critical condition. (Warning: Footage of incident may be disturbing for some.)
The 36-year-old Queens man charged with attempted murder and child endangerment, among other crimes, for allegedly intentionally running over his wife while their three young boys were in his SUV also stabbed the woman, authorities said Wednesday as they shared more chilling details in the case.
According to a criminal complaint released by the Queens district attorney's office, Stephen Giraldo allegedly got into the driver's seat of a white Ford Explorer parked near the intersection of Parsons Boulevard and Sanford Avenue, near his wife's Flushing home, around 5:20 a.m. Tuesday. His sons, ages 6, 9 and 11, were in the SUV, prosecutors say.
His wife walked in front of the vehicle.
Giraldo told them to "keep your seat belt on" before he accelerated, barreling his Ford Explorer directly into his 41-year-old wife, the mother of the three children in his vehicle, prosecutors allege. The SUV flipped on its side after the collision, at which point Giraldo allegedly crawled out the passenger side window and stabbed her with a knife.
He was at the scene when police arrived and taken into custody. His wife was taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, which include severe neurological damage, broken bones in her leg and a stab wound that punctured her liver.
The woman, identified by prosecutors as Sophia Giraldo, remained in critical condition Wednesday, police said.
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The children weren't hurt. It wasn't immediately clear in whose custody they were placed.
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Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned the allegations in a statement.
"The brutality of the attack, and the fact that it was committed in full view of the victim's three young children, stirs heartbreak and outrage in all of us," Katz said. "My thoughts are with the children."
In addition to attempted murder and child endangerment, Giraldo is accused of assault, reckless endangerment and weapons possession in the case. He was remanded after his arraignment Thursday and is due back in court next month.
Giraldo, of Jamaica, Queens, is an MTA employee. The agency says he has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Giraldo is represented by Queens Defenders, which says it does not comment on open cases.
