Woman Accused of Stabbing Daughter, 6, Then Herself

A Poway woman stabbed her 6-year-old daughter several times in the chest Tuesday morning before turning the knife on herself, authorities said.

The girl was listed in fair condition at Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Her 42-year-old mother, Antonia Garner, was taken to Pomerado Hospital in Poway, where she was in fair condition.

Sheriff’s deputies said that, after Garner recovers, she will be transferred to the Las Colinas Jail in Santee and held on suspicion of child abuse.

The Poway sheriff’s substation received a call from a friend of Garner’s about 10 a.m., saying they were needed at the Garner residence in the 13500 block of Acton Avenue in eastern Poway.

Deputies found the mother and daughter alone inside the home, both bleeding from their wounds, according to Sgt. Manny Castillo.

The child, whose name is being withheld, was airlifted by Life Flight helicopter to Children’s Hospital, where a spokesman said she had suffered at least one penetrating stab wound to the chest but that her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

A Juvenile Court hold was placed on the girl, which child abuse investigators said prevents any information about her from being released. She will remain at the hospital until she is placed in a home by the court, an investigator said.

Sheriff’s Lt. Ray Fisher said Garner apparently has no other children. No reason was given for the attack, he said.

Castillo said the homicide unit has turned the investigation over to the child abuse unit, where investigators will determine whether any charges will be brought against Garner.