Elmira police arrested a woman in connection with the poisoning death of her young stepson in November. The boy's mother is from Batavia.

Elmira police charged Melissa Engelhardt, 24, with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Andrew John Cianfrini, 21-months-old.

Batavia police assisted in the investigation because there was some question as to whether the child was poisoned in Batavia or Elmira.

Cianfrini was found at Engelhardt's and the boy's father's home in Elmira on November 10.

Court documents said Engelhardt intended to cause physical injury to Andrew by giving him a juice drink containing a toxic, poisonous substance. Police said there was no prior concern about Engelhardt being around the child.

Police said her arrest was the result of a joint, four-month investigation. Engelhardt was arraigned in Elmira City Court Friday morning. She has a one-year-old son who is with his father, George, and she is pregnant with another child.

"Mr. Engelhardt was very forthcoming, very cooperative. Obviously, very distraught over the situation. Even further distraught when he learned that his wife was directly involved with the killing of his child," said Captain Joseph Kain, Elmira Police Department.

Kain said the investigation is ongoing, but that no additional arrests are expected.

Melissa Engelhardt is in the Chemung County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. She is expected back in court on Tuesday, March 16.

According to the child's obituary, Andrew John Cianfrini was buried in St. Joseph's Mausoleum in Batavia back in November.

The investigation was also handled by the Batavia Police Department. Andrew John Cianfrini was born in Batavia. His mother and grandparents still live there.

The Batavia Police Department got involved with the case when they were asked to notify the family back in November. Initially, there was concern it may have been swine flu.

After the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause of death of Cianfrini as poisoning, the investigation team kicked into high gear.

Sergeant Patrick Corona said they wanted to find out whether or not it was an accidental poisoning that happened in Batavia. They questioned Andrew's grandparents and mother, ruling out anything in Batavia as a source and helping the Elmira Police Department focus the investigation back in Elmira.

“I've been attempting to put them in contact with our victim's services,” said Detective Sergeant Corona. “It's our Genesee justice in Genesee County and I want to offer any service we can to them to help them get through this and keep them informed as the investigation progresses, as the prosecution progresses."

Andrew's family couldn't be reached for comment. The priest who presided over Andrew's funeral said it was a very tough time for the family and declined to comment any further out of respect for the family.

Elmira Police Department