Aunt Held in Stabbing of Two Girls in Katonah

An aunt babysitting her young nieces in Katonah Saturday night has been arrested and charged with stabbing them multiple times in their legs and backs. 

Lisa Turkki, 39, of East Syracuse, N.Y., was caring for the 7- and 9-year-old girls while their parents, Joseph and Eva Kelly, were at the nearby Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.

Eva Turkki Kelly and Lisa Turrki are sisters.

Police received a 911 call at 9:22 p.m. Saturday from 85 Girdle Ridge Road, requesting assistance for two stabbing victims.

Bedford Police Officer Hawley was first to arrive at the scene. He located Turkki and took her into custody, and found two girls on the kitchen floor, both with multiple stab wounds.

He and Officer Fusco provided first aid until the Westchester EMS Paramedics and Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance arrived.

Both victims were transported to Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla with serious injuries.

Friends of the family said today the girls, both students at Katonah Elementary School, were awake following surgeries. At least one of the girls will require follow up surgery on her hand.

No previous violent incidents had occurred among family members, friends said.

The home lies on a bucolic stretch of road between the hamlet of Katonah and Bedford village that is dotted with upscale residences, including several major estates. Martha Stewart's home, a 153-acre farm she purchased in 2000, is across the street.

There was no answer at the home Sunday.

Turkki was charged with two counts of first-degree assault, felonies, police said. She was arraigned by Judge Erik Jacobsen and taken to the Westchester County Jail. 

There was no information available on bail. Her next court date was scheduled for Aug. 5.

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