One day after the protection order against the child’s father expired, the 29-year-old stabbed him 34 times in front of his two-year-old son

HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) — A 29-year-old woman was stabbed to death in front of her two-year-old by the child’s father, a day after her protective order against him expired, police said.

Police said Brenda Guadalupe Alfaro-Alcantara was found stabbed to death in the basement of a Botsford Avenue apartment building just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to police, Alfaro-Alcantara and Jose W. Funes-Zabala, 43, were in a relationship for three years and had a 2-year-old son.

Police said their relationship was violent and tumultuous and family members kicked him out of the house when they found out.

In October 2023, Alfaro-Alcantara went to family court after her now two-year-old son suffered “fractures of his femur and skull” allegedly at the hands of his father, police said in a press conference on Monday.

The protective order against Funes-Zabala expired on Friday, Oct. 4, police said, just a day before the suspect showed up to visit his 2-year-old son.

Police said they began arguing when Funes-Zabala found out Alfaro-Alcantara had started dating.

Police said the argument quickly turned into a physical altercation and Alfaro-Alcantara was stabbed 34 times in front of her 2-year-old child.

“I can’t imagine what this baby has been through. It’s just unbelievable,” said neighbor Larissa Del Gado.

Funes-Zabala fled the scene, leaving the child behind, police said.

“His son was there when it happened. He witnessed it. And he stayed there, covered in his mother’s blood,” said Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick.

The child, covered in blood, left his mother’s basement apartment, where he met other family members, police said.

Funes-Zabala was found in the hospital with self-inflicted wounds, police said.

He was declared physically and mentally fit and charged with second-degree murder in Alfaro-Alcantara and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

Local police ask anyone who feels unsafe to know that a protection order can easily be extended.

“I cannot emphasize enough that if you believe a protective order is still warranted, you should still reapply and increase the amount. We’re always here for you – if you don’t want to talk to us, you can call.” “We support our domestic violence hotlines and try to stop this type of violence,” Fitzpatrick said.

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