Amber Alert Was Activated After Defendant Fled Scene with 3-Year-Old Daughter
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been
sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Murder and additional charges
for stabbing his wife multiple times.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant viciously stabbed his wife, cutting her throat
approximately 12 times, and then ran off with their 3-year-old daughter. Thanks to quick action
from first responders and doctors, the victim miraculously survived.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Diomedes Valenzuela, 50, of 2974 Perry Avenue,
was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ethan Greenberg to 10 years in prison and
five years post-release supervision for Attempted Murder and for first-degree Assault, seven years
in prison and five years post-release supervision for each of two second-degree Assault charges,
and one year for each charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, third-degree Assault and
Custodial Interference. All sentences are to be served concurrently. The judge also issued a full
final order of protection.
According to the investigation, in the afternoon of December 1, 2015 at 2974 Perry Avenue,
the defendant stabbed his then-wife, Yudeljy Cruz, 31, in the neck and arms. Valenzuela, who is a
former New Jersey cop and MTA employee, then fled the scene with their daughter. Authorities
issued an amber alert and the defendant and the child were found about two hours later in New
Jersey.
District Attorney Clark thanked Amy Litwin, Counsel to the Special Victims Division, for her assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Nigel Peart of the
52nd Precinct Squad and Detective Nicholas Ciuffi, of Bronx Homicide, for their assistance in the
investigation. District Attorney Clark also thanked police officers and other first responders for
their quick actions in helping to save the victim’s life.
