Reports: Marana mom accused of stabbing infant was under DCS investigation

A Marana woman accused of stabbing her infant son was under investigation by the Department of Child Safety at the time of the incident, newly released police records show.

Kay Kunes, 42, is facing charges of domestic violence-related attempted first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the Nov. 9 incident, according to Pima County Superior Court records.

Police went to Kunes’ home near West Tangerine and North Thornydale roads early that morning after Kunes’ father called 911 to say his daughter stabbed her baby, then began to stab herself, according to the Marana Police Department’s investigative report.

While paramedics tended to the baby, police spoke to Kunes’ father, who said the baby had been in California with him and his wife for the past five to six weeks, but they brought the baby back to Tucson “so that his parents could see him,” according to the police report.

Kunes’ father told police his daughter had been depressed because she hadn’t seen her baby in weeks and that there was an open investigation by DCS, according to the report.

Kunes’ father said a DCS employee had told him not to leave Kunes alone with the baby, but the night before the stabbing, Kunes asked if the baby could sleep in bed with her and her husband. The man told police he agreed to let them because he and his wife would be in the house with them, but was awakened in the middle of the night by Kunes’ husband asking him to call 911, the report said.

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Kunes’ parents were supposed to meet with DCS on the afternoon of the stabbing before returning to California with the child, according to the report.

DCS records show the agency received a report of neglect on Sept. 26 and “was attempting to assess the family’s need for services or further intervention,” according to a near-fatality report posted to DCS’ website Dec. 8.

According to the DCS report, the last date of contact between DCS and the family was Nov. 8, but the type of contact and with whom was not noted .

After his release from the hospital, Kunes’ baby was place with relatives, the DCS report said, adding that the department has filed a dependency petition in Pima County Superior Court and is providing services to the family.

The baby is expected to make a full recovery, said Sgt. Chriswell Scott, a Marana Police Department spokesman.

Kunes’ next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13.