Queens Woman Accused Of Strangling 9-Year-Old Stepdaughter Charged With Second-Degree Murder

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens woman accused of strangling her stepdaughter has been charged with second-degree murder.

Shamdai Arjun, 55, appeared in court on Sunday. She faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Police said 9-year-old Ashdeep Kaur was found naked and bruised in the bathtub of her Richmond Hill apartment Friday.

"This is a horrifying case of a child, a defenseless 9-year-old, who was left in the care of her stepmother who allegedly strangled her to death. Her actions, if true, are beyond comprehension and must be severely punished," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.

The girl's father found her when he returned home, after asking the super to unlock the apartment door. He was overcome with grief and fainted at the scene.

Neighbors said Ashdeep moved from India to be in the care of her father and his wife three months ago. Family members said the girl told them about past abuse at the hands of her stepmother.

"The little one told me always that she sometimes beat her up," Manjinder Singh said.

Police have not released a motive.

Two other children in the home are now with child services.

Arjun's ex-husband, Raymond Narayan, 65, was charged with obstructing governmental administration.