DA: Oceanside woman caused toddler's fatal injuries

Nassau prosecutors said that an Oceanside woman, charged with manslaughter in the death of her toddler, shook the child so hard that his brain swelled and he suffered fatal injuries.

Lois Saitta, 50, of Soper Avenue, was indicted by a grand jury on April 8 - the day that would have been the boy's third birthday - and arraigned Wednesday in Nassau County Court. She pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter, reckless assault of a child and criminally negligent homicide, said Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Doctors indicated the boy's injuries were consistent with shaking, prosecutors said.

"An innocent life has been violently taken, and I will do everything in my power to see that justice is served in this case," Rice said.

Saitta faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

But Saitta's attorney, Kevin Keating of Garden City, said his client did not do the crime.

"Mrs. Saitta is innocent," Keating said. "The district attorney's case is based upon a medical opinion which is flawed. The death of her son was a tragedy and, unfortunately, she now has to endure the horror of this allegation, but she will be exonerated."

Prosecutors said police were called to Saitta's home on July 20 after a caller stated that Saitta's son Christopher, 2, had fallen out of a high chair and struck his head. They said he suffered severe brain swelling and required surgery to remove a piece of his skull to relieve pressure, but he died less than three weeks later.

Saitta is free on $100,000 bond, posted Wednesday. She is due back in court May 11.

"Lois Saitta's life record is that of a nurturing, kindhearted, patient human being," Keating said. "And she absolutely adored her son."