NEW YORK – A Queens community is shocked by the hit and run and stabbing of a 41-year-old mother who describes herself as a “confidence grower” and is a survivor of domestic abuse. A woman who had turned her own traumatic experience into a mission to help other victims, including herself.
Sophia Giraldo, of Flushing, was allegedly hit intentionally by her husband, Stephen Giraldo, 36, with a pickup truck outside her home earlier this week. Their three young children were inside the vehicle when prosecutors say she sped into the woman walking in front of him early Tuesday morning.
According to an unsealed criminal complaint Wednesday, Stephen Giraldo told his children to “keep their seatbelts fastened” before speeding. The van flipped onto its side after the collision, at which point the suspect allegedly crawled out the window and stabbed Sophia Giraldo, puncturing her liver and leaving her with severe neurological and other injuries from the crash.
The father was indicted after his arraignment a day ago, his three children suffered unthinkable trauma, prosecutors say, while the mother remains hospitalized in critical condition. They were not physically injured in the collision, but the children, aged 6, 9 and 11, witnessed a horror that no person, let alone a child, should be forced to watch, prosecutors said.
“The brutality of the attack, and the fact that it was committed in full view of the victim’s three young children, causes anguish and outrage in all of us,” said Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney. “My thoughts are with the children.”
According to her website, Sophia Giraldo has turned her pain into an engine for change. She threw Beyond the beautifula lifestyle coaching activity to help people ‘rediscover themselves after cheating’ through a four week programme.
As he poignantly writes, “I get it…been there.”
“The shock of a toxic relationship led me to put my entire LIFE on the back burner. I was trapped living a life without limits or balance. The shock and betrayal hit the rock bottom of my confidence, until a therapist told me said it was about time he learned to live for an ‘audience of one,'” says its website. “Learning to set healthy boundaries and receive the Truth that God had spoken about me before, that I was beautiful and worth fighting for, literally saved my life.”
A testimonial posted on Sophia Giraldo’s website describes her as a “true inspiration” and someone who walked “beside me in my anguish and victories” to help restore confidence and self-respect. Another calls it “a real blessing” that helped a woman discover that she was okay with taking time for herself and healing from a painful past.
Sophia Giraldo suffered broken leg bones, brain damage and a punctured liver in the attack. Last time she was said to be hospitalized in critical condition. There were no immediate updates on her status on Thursday.
Stephen Giraldo faces attempted murder and other charges in the case. he is represented by defenders of queens, who says they don’t comment on open cases. The MTA employee was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation, the agency said.
To speak to an attorney, call the New York State Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906 or text 844-997-2121.
Find here also information to seek help.
Telemundo 47 Focus segment on October 30th.
