Mother is indicted in alleged choking

Elly Rivera might have a history of mental illness and was at some point on medication for her condition, said Jeen Kwak, deputy city prosecutor.

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Rivera, 26, with attempted second-degree murder for allegedly choking her 3-year-old daughter. And because the victim suffered serious bodily injury and is younger than 8 years old, Rivera faces tougher penalties if convicted.

The penalty for attempted second-degree murder is life in prison with the possibility for parole. That could be extended to life in prison without the possibility for parole or include a 15-year mandatory minimum before parole can be considered.

Circuit Judge Derrick Chan increased Rivera's bail to $250,000 from $150,000 yesterday and issued an order prohibiting her from contacting her daughter or 9-year-old son.

Rivera remains in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Center.

The toddler was in critical condition Sunday when an ambulance took her from the family home at Hickam Air Force Base to Kaiser Medical Center.

According to police, Rivera's son said his mother tried to choke his sister.

Rivera later said voices were telling her that they were going to burn and kill the children, and she did not want the children to suffer, police said in court documents.