7-Year-Old Girl Found Dead Inside New Rochelle Home; Father Hospitalized In Police Custody
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are calling the death of a 7-year-old girl "suspicious" late Tuesday evening.
The second grader is dead, and her father is hospitalized in police custody with serious injuries to his wrist. Now, New Rochelle Police will work through the night to determine what happened, and why.
"I'm devastated," neighbor Derek Lewis -- who has a son around the victim's age -- tells CBS2's Tony Aiello. A deep sense of shock has settled in for residents at the Arbor Glen Complex after the mysterious death of the young girl.
Police say a mid-afternoon 911 call brought them to unit three, where they found the girl's father bleeding from wounds to his wrist. Inside the home, police found the 7-year-old girl deceased in her bed.
CBS2 has learned the owner of the home -- a New York broadcasting executive -- filed for divorce from her husband in April.
Neighbors say the little girl was quiet and friendly, and can't believe what happened.
"Completely shocked, disgusted," a woman named Crystal tells CBS2. "Because like I say, everyone is so loving here. It's a quiet neighborhood. The kids just come out and play."
"Nothing you can say but pray," neighbor Evoni Legette said. "Pray for the family, pray for the little girl. That's all you can do."
The Westchester County Medical Examiner will determine how the 7-year-old died. and grief counselors will be made available at Ward School to help students and staff deal with the shocking loss.
A local elected official tells CBS2's Aiello the victim was in their daughter's school class.
"I'm grieving at the moment and trying to minimize the trauma to my daughter," the elected official continued via text message. "She was a beautiful little girl."
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at 914 654 2270.
