Police: Broward mom sliced 3-year-old's throat

By The Associated Press
Published: August 13, 2010

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. --

Police say a woman sliced her 3-year-old son's throat with a box cutter and then tried to kill herself in their Hollywood apartment.

Authorities say the child was in critical but stable condition. His mother, Mirtha Arias, has been charged with attempted murder and is also in critical condition.

Arias' 14-year-old son called 911 after waking up and finding blood all over the home.

Detectives say Arias was depressed over an ongoing custody battle with her toddler's father. On Thursday, she was to appear in a Pennsylvania court regarding claims she had failed to share custody with him.