Modesto woman allegedly used extension cord to choke elderly mother

A Modesto woman was arrested Sunday morning for allegedly trying to strangle her 75-year-old mother with an extension cord.

A witness called 911 from inside a home in the 1200 block of Lassen Avenue in south Modesto just before 7 a.m. to report the suspect had wrapped an extension cord around her mother’s neck and was making threatening comments, said Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Sgt. Josh Clayton.

When deputies arrived, the suspect was no longer in the act of choking her mother. Clayton said it is unknown what precipitated the violence.

The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.

The suspect, 34-year-old Rosie Monique Mercardo, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and elder abuse.

This story was originally published April 8, 2019 at 10:53 AM.