Suffolk Woman Charged In Alleged Murder-For-Hire Plot

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police say they've unraveled a murder-for-hire plot.

The woman they arrested is accused of plotting to have her ex-husband's child and mother killed, CBS2's Tara Jakeway reported.

Elsy Rodriguez-Garcia, 25, appeared before a judge at Suffolk County Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors are accusing her of being the mastermind behind the scheme. She's facing two counts of attempted murder and two counts of conspiracy.

The prosecution alleges Rodriguez-Garcia was soliciting an assassin to kill her ex-husband's 5-year-old daughter from a previous relationship and his 57-year-old mother. They said she went as far as to send pictures of the little girl to the would-be assassin.

"Earlier this month, Rodriguez-Garcia allegedly contacted a co-conspirator via WhatsApp and asked him to hire a hitman to murder the two targets," District Attorney Timothy Sini said. "The defendant told the co-conspirator she wanted to have them disappear, so that her ex-husband could spend more time with her and their child.

"What's even more disturbing is that the photograph she sent of the little girl was a child's kindergarten graduation photo," Sini added.

Web Extra: Suffolk County Officials Discuss Alleged Murder-For-Hire Arrest 

Prosecutors said the alleged plot came apart on the streets of Huntington Station after Rodriguez-Garcia's ex-husband, who divorced the defendant four months ago, found out about the hatched plan and went to the police.

Following a staged South American robbery, prosecutors said the suspect was shown a doctored photo of two dead bodies -- the child and grandmother -- and agreed to pay $6,000, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.

Rodriguez-Garcia's attorney, William Ferro, attempted to shoot some holes in District Attorney Sini's case.

"The crime that the DA's office is charging her with could never have been committed," Ferro said, adding when told that the alleged crime was to have taken place in Ecuador, "That's what they said, and the alleged victims were here in the United States."

MORE: "I'll Be Acquitted": NYPD Officer In Murder-For-Hire Plot Against Husband Speaks At Divorce Hearing

The defense argued Rodriguez-Garcia is a U.S. citizen, a graduate of Walt Whitman High School, and has two kids of her own, ages 2 and 5. She even works at a pediatrician's office, something the judge said he could not believe considering the circumstances she was in Tuesday.

"I find it interesting that your client works in a pediatrician's office and is alleged to have attempted to arrange for the execution of a 5-year-old," State Supreme Court Justice William Condon said.

Some of Rodriguez-Garcia's family members were in the courtroom, but would not speak.

Rodriguez-Garcia maintained her innocence, claiming she was duped. If convicted, she could 25 years to life behind bars. She being held on $750,000 cash or bond. She's due back in court on Sept. 4.