‘My Heart Is Broken’: New York City Grandmother Accused Of Stabbing 7-Year-Old Granddaughter Over 12 Times

A New York City grandmother is accused of stabbing her 7-year-old granddaughter multiple times with a kitchen knife, authorities said.

Mariza Yauger, 65, faces charges of attempted murder, attempted manslaughter, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child, WABC reported.

On Feb. 21, the girl was in a Bronx apartment with her younger sister, paternal uncle, and paternal grandmother when the grandmother allegedly stabbed her over a dozen times, according to the station.

The uncle phoned 911 and responding NYPD officers located the blood-covered and unresponsive child lying on a bed.

"[The police officer] came out running from where he was at with the little girl. The property that they have is a couple of houses away. So we just seen that he came out running,” eywitness Ana Martinez told WABC. “The cop car was right in front of my property. So he just put her right in the cop car. He didn't wait for the ambulance."

According to family, the child underwent surgery and remains hospitalized. Doctors reportedly told detectives the victim lost a third of her blood and suffered multiple lacerations, including to her lower neck, left torso and lung.

The NYPD has not disclosed a possible motive for the knife attack, but detectives alleged the suspect has a history of mental health issues, according to WABC.

“I’m a grandmother myself,” neighbor China Aponte told the station. “I just don’t even have words for it. My heart is broken. It is sad. Very sad.”