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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:18 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hawaii toddler doing better after attack, father says

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: Elly Rivera makes court appearance

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Elly Rivera is directed to stand before Judge Faye Koyanagi by Deputy Public Defender Clarissa Malinao at an initial appearance in District Court as her husband, Jesse Rivera, sits in the gallery, left, this morning. Rivera is accused of attempted second-degree murder in the choking of her 3-year-old daughter Sunday.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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A 3-year-old girl is still hospitalized after her mother allegedly attempted to kill her Sunday night, but the child is recovering and behaving normally, her father said this morning.

Jesse Y. Rivera spoke briefly about his daughter's condition before his wife, Elly M. Rivera, 26, made an initial appearance in court on a charge of second-degree attempted murder.

"She's in good condition, thank God," Jesse Rivera said of his daughter. "She's acting the same way she was before this happened."

The Pearl Harbor man declined to discuss other aspects of the case.

Elly Rivera made no statement in a very brief court appearance before District Court Family Judge Faye Koyanagi.

Her lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Clarissa Malinao, also declined comment.

Koyanagi confirmed bail at $150,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Friday afternoon.

The defendant, shackled at the ankles and wearing a white T-shirt and denim pants, appeared dazed and distraught when led into the court by sheriff's deputies.

According to a police affidavit filed in the case, Elly Rivera allegedly attempted to choke her daughter "because voices were telling her that they were going to burn and kill the kids."

In addition to the young daughter, the Riveras also have a 9-year-old son.