A Massachusetts woman was arraigned from her hospital bed the afternoon after she allegedly stabbed her live-in girlfriend to death.
A not guilty plea was entered on the behalf of 33-year-old Wanda Liz Gonzalez as she laid in her bed at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester Wednesday afternoon. Gonzalez was charged with domestic assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with Tuesday's fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Jennifer Narvaez-Colon.
The Worcester County District Attorney's office said police responded to two 911 calls about a stabbing on Wanoosnoc Road just after 10 p.m. They found Narvaez-Colon in the street outside the women's home. She had allegedly been stabbed multiple times.
Authorities said they found Narvaez-Colon's three children — ages 13, 12, and 8 — trying to save their mother after watching the attack happen.
"The children were out in the road with their mother, rendering aid to their mother," Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said.
Narvaez-Colon's oldest daughter also ran to a neighbor's house to call for an ambulance.
Gonzalez, who was found inside the home she shared with the victim, had wounds to her head and neck, but they were non-life-threatening, according to Early.
Both Narvaez-Colon and Gonzalez were taken to UMass Memorial Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster, then to UMass Memorial Medical Center, where Narvaez-Colon later died from her injuries. An autopsy is being performed on her body, Early said.
"It's devastating to learn there was two females and their were kids involved, and the trauma, it's just crazy," said neighbor Luz Davila.
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Wednesday, Gonzalez's defense attorney tried to shield her from the camera, saying she was being embarrassed by the media. He said Gonzalez was the victim.
"The decedent took a knife and sliced her throat repeatedly," the attorney said. "Her hand is sliced repeatedly."
Neighbors say the family left Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
Investigators went door-to-door asking residents questions about what might have led to the stabbing, according to neighbors.
"I only noticed a woman going on the stretcher," neighbor Adri Butler said. "They knocked on the door trying to figure out, you know, asking me questions. Did I see anything, hear anything?"
After Judge Christopher P. LoConto entered a not guilty plea on Gonzalez's behalf, he continued her case to Friday for a dangerousness hearing in Fitchburg District Court.
Narvaez-Colon's children were removed from the home. They are in custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families until they can be reunited with other family members.
The death is under investigation by State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Fitchburg Police.
