Connie Villa, Ariz. mom, charged in child poisoning case

FLORENCE, Ariz. - A new criminal indictment accuses Connie Villa, an Arizona woman, of trying to kill her ex-husband and poison her four children, including a teenage daughter found dead in her home on Christmas Day.

Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles says the 35-year-old Villa of Casa Grande is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, attempted first-degree murder and child abuse in an indictment that a grand jury issued Monday.

Police have said Villa told investigators she suffocated her 13-year-old daughter to death when the girl wouldn't take prescription narcotic drugs. Villa is accused of forcing her other three children to take the drugs and of stabbing her ex-husband repeatedly.

Villa’s ex-husband, Adam Villa, was able to escape and contact police.

According to police, Connie Villa said her motive was that she didn't want her ex-husband to have custody of the children.

“Tragedy from abuse strikes far too many families, and unfortunately, the holidays often represent an increase in domestic violence cases,” Voyles said in announcing the charges.

Adam Villa told CBS affiliate KPHO that his three surviving children “are doing well.” He said he is still in some pain from his physical wounds sustained in the incident but is doing a lot better.

Connie Villa is being held in the Pinal County Jail. Voyles spokesman Jim Knupp says he doesn't know whether she has an attorney.