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Plainview Woman In Possible Murder-Suicide Attempt Allegedly Says Daughter Should Die

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A prosecutor says a Long Island woman fed her disabled 8-year-old girl food she was allergic to, then tried to kill herself and left a note that said "her daughter should die."

Veronica Cirella, 30, of Plainview was charged with manslaughter at her arraignment Sunday at the Nassau University Medical Center. Police said both mother and daughter Julie were discovered on the floor of their home unconscious by the girl's grandmother Saturday morning.

Julie had a cord around her neck.

"The grandchild could not be revived, however that child's mother was brought to Nassau County Medical Center where we understand she is alive and conscious," said Kevin Smith with Nassau County police.

Judge Anna Anzalone ordered Cirella jailed without bail. Neighbors described her as attentive and loving to Julie.

According to Newsday, prosecutor Zeena Abdi said there was a certain protocol regarding the girl's care that the mother didn't follow.

Autopsy results remained inconclusive; further tests were pending.

"It appears right now that we have an undetermined homicide," said Smith. "We don't know what caused the death of the 8-year-old child. There are no outward signs of violence or any trauma to that child. So it's still very much under investigation."

Cirella's Legal Aid attorney Yolanda Guerra denied the accusations.

Newsday says the child had cerebral palsy. She was supposed to be a flower girl in her cousin's wedding.

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(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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