Man Charged In Fatal Staten Island Stabbings To Appear In Court

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn man who was indicted on murder and other charges in connection with the stabbings of a woman and three children at a hotel in Staten Island will return to court on Friday.

Michael Sykes, 25, is charged with the murders of his girlfriend Rebecca Cutler, 26, their 5-month old daughter Mailyah Sykes and Cutler's 19-month daughter, Ziana.

Cutler's third child, Miracle, 2, was wounded, but survived.

Police swarmed the Ramada Inn on North Gannon Avenue on the morning of Feb. 10 after a housekeeper found the mother and children.

Sykes was seen entering Cutler's room at around 8:50 a.m. and leaving at around 8:54 a.m., police said. He then got on the Staten Island Ferry, officials said.

Investigators said Sykes called his mother to say he had killed his girlfriend and was going to kill himself.

Sykes was captured several days later at a friend's home on 31st Avenue in Queens. Cops had received tips that he was seen in the area and took him into custody after arriving at the residence, sources said.

According to the indictment, authorities said Sykes stabbed Cutler over 40 times and stabbed Maliyah and Ziana about nine times each. Miracle was stabbed about 11 times, leaving her in critical condition, authorities said.

The knife was recovered at the scene, police said.