Teen daughter injured trying to protect mother during fatal Long Island stabbing
A violent domestic incident on Long Island has left a woman dead and her teenage daughter injured after prosecutors say a man forced his way into a home despite a court order that barred him from approaching the family.
Authorities say Adriana Barbosa was fatally stabbed inside her Farmingville home while her 16-year-old daughter tried to intervene and protect her. The suspect, identified as Marcos Aurelio Marques-Leal, has since been charged with multiple serious crimes.
According to prosecutors, the attack occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on February 12 inside the residence in Farmingville, New York.
Officials say Marques-Leal was prohibited from approaching the family under an order of protection issued by family court. Despite that restriction, investigators allege he attempted to enter the home and ultimately forced his way inside.
Prosecutors say the suspect first attempted to get through a side entrance but was unable to open the locked door. When that effort failed, authorities allege he tried to kick the door open.
When he still could not gain access, investigators say he moved to the back of the home and grabbed a large planter. Prosecutors allege he smashed the planter through a sliding glass door, allowing him to enter the house.
While the suspect moved through the home, the teen reportedly called 911.
Daughter tries to protect her mother
Prosecutors say the suspect eventually forced his way into the bedroom where the mother and daughter were hiding.
Authorities allege that when he attacked Barbosa with a knife, the teenage girl stepped between them in an attempt to protect her mother.
According to investigators, Marques-Leal reached over the girl and stabbed Barbosa repeatedly in the head, neck, and body. During the struggle, the teenager suffered injuries to her hands while trying to defend her mother.
After the stabbing, prosecutors say the suspect turned the weapon on himself, inflicting wounds to his neck and abdomen.
When officers arrived at the scene, all three individuals were found inside the bedroom, according to investigators. Emergency responders transported them to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Barbosa was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, while the suspect and the teenager were expected to survive their injuries.
A Suffolk County grand jury has since indicted Marques-Leal on several charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and endangering the welfare of a child.
“The charges in this indictment reflect a horrifying act of domestic violence that claimed the life of an innocent woman and forever changed the life of a child who witnessed it,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
A judge ordered the suspect held without bail. His next court appearance has been scheduled for March 25. If convicted on the most serious charge, prosecutors say Marques-Leal could face a prison sentence of up to 25 years.
