Mother with mental health issues confesses to stabbing son, but pleads not guilty in court

Vanessa Deanna Rincon, 30

FRESNO — A local mother pleaded not guilty to felony charges of attempted murder and corporal injury to a child in Fresno Superior Court Monday morning.

Vanessa Deanna Rincon, 30, is charged with stabbing her 3-year-old son numerous times with a steak knife and then throwing him down a flight of cement stairs from her apartment, according to an arrest report that was made public Monday morning.

Fresno police first took Rincon into custody on May 4. The incident took place at a central Fresno apartment complex. She was then hospitalized in a mental health facility until Friday, when she was transferred over to the city’s downtown jail.

The arrest report states that Rincon has “mental health-related issues.” However, the report does not specify what type of issues she has.

Fresno police Chief Jerry Dyer said Rincon’s son suffered up to 20 stab wounds. Dyer added that Rincon did confess to stabbing her son but didn’t say why she did.

The boy was initially taken to Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno. He has since been moved to Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera County. Authorities say that the 3-year-old is in stable condition.

Police also found Rincon’s 2-month-old daughter inside the apartment on the 3600 block of Pleasant Avenue. The girl was uninjured and was placed in the care of Fresno County Child Protective Services.

According to a search of the court’s computer files, Rincon does not have a criminal record with Fresno Superior Court.