Arrest in Slaying of Mother, Child

A Bronx man was arrested yesterday in the death of a mother and her 4-year-old daughter in their University Heights apartment in February, police said.

Jesus Velazquez, 40, of 2167 Homer Ave., was linked to the double homicide of Gladys Cabeza, 29, and her daughter, Alexandria, through DNA left at the scene, police said. Police officials declined to elaborate.

Velazquez, who is under federal supervision until 2007 from a 1979 conviction for robbing a post office, had lived in the Cabezas' Jerome Avenue apartment when he was dating Cabeza's sister, police said.

The sister, whose name was not released, now lives in California, police said.

Police said they were uncertain what spurred the attack. There was no evidence of forced entry.

Cabeza was stabbed numerous times and Alexandria was apparently suffocated with a pillow during the attack, police said. A police source said Alexandria was probably killed because she was a potential witness to her mother's slaying.

Velazquez was awaiting arraignment on murder charges last night.

************************** Newsday - Long Island, N.Y. Author: Melanie Lefkowitz. STAFF WRITER Date: Aug 21, 2001 Start Page: A.27 Edition: Combined editions Section: NEWS Text Word Count: 166

08/21/2001