Quesi Chavez, 10 [Updated]

Quesi Chavez, a 10-year-old Asian girl, was stabbed to death Friday, July 9, in the 200 block of West 29th Street at the Fort MacArthur Air Force Base in San Pedro, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Quesi's father awoke about 2:30 a.m. and found his wife, Bong Sook Chavez, a 49-year-old Asian woman, attacking his daughter with a knife, said LAPD Deputy Chief Pat Gannon.

“The father was able to get the weapon away from her,” Gannon said.

The mother, who has a history of mental health problems, however, had already cut the child’s neck and wrists and slashed her own wrists, Gannon said.

“The girl was transported to the hospital in terrible condition,” Gannon said. Quesi died shortly before noon Friday.

According to police officials, Chavez stabbed the girl multiple times while they were in bed together.

He said the case is being investigated by LAPD detectives who specialize in child endangerment and homicide as an attempted murder-suicide.

Chavez is at USC Medical Center and her next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19,  according to county jail records. She is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

Fort MacArthur is a residential housing facility for the Air Force Space Division on Pacific Avenue between 22nd and 36th streets. Gannon said the father is a former member of the military.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact LAPD Juvenile Division detectives at the LAPD's 24-hour, toll-free number: (877) LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (222-8477).

[Update September 12, 2011: San Pedro woman who stabbed daughter gets 12 years for manslaughter]

-- Richard Winton and Abby Sewell