MASSENA -- Two Massena residents accused of murdering a three-year-old child have taken plea deals, according to District Attorney Gary Pasqua.
Kaitlyn Cyrus, 24, and Joanne Vega, 24, both entered pleas today, Sept. 3, in relation to the death of a three-year-old child on Nov. 28, 2023 in Massena.
Both were arraigned on one count of aggravated murder, murder in the second-degree, manslaughter in the first-degree, assault in the first-degree and assault in the second-degree, Pasqua said.
According to a release, Cyrus pled guilty to murder in the second-degree having "recklessly engaged in conduct that created and caused the death of the child while evincing a depraved indifference to human life."

Vega pled guilty to manslaughter in the first-degree having "recklessly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of serious physical injury and resulting in the death of the child."
Judge Gregory Storie committed to sentence Cyrus to an indeterminate term of imprisonment with the New York State Department of Corrections with a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of lifetime imprisonment.
He committed to sentence Vega to a determinate term of imprisonment with the New York State Department of Corrections of 25 years.
"No amount of time in prison will ever rectify the tragic loss of life that happened in this case. There can never be true justice in a case like this one. This child will never experience a full and happy life. Hopefully the decades these defendants will spend incarcerated will bring some peace to the family," Pasqua said.
The plea deals for both Cyrus and Vega will bring to an end a case that has greatly impacted the Massena community.
Following their arrests, dozens of residents protested outside the Massena Town Hall, some holding signs calling for the two to be placed in prison for life.
The child, Kayden Flowers, died on Nov. 30 after sustaining multiple injuries that included a brain bleed, severe brain swelling, loss of brain function, a broken femur, broken arm and lacerated liver.
Flowers was airlifted on Nov. 28 following the assault but succumbed to the injuries.
Massena Police Detective Mike O'Brien previously told NCTW a 911 call received at 8:37 a.m. on Nov. 28 led to the arrests.
Prior to the grand jury indictment last week that charged both Vega and Cyrus with murder, the pair were previously charged with multiple felonies on Nov. 28, including first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless assault: causing serious brain injury to a child under five- shaking or slamming of the head, second-degree assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, second-degree assault: person 18 or more years causing injury to person under seven, and first-degree assault: causing serious injury through grave risk of death, according to court documents obtained by North Country This Week.
Sentencing is now set for Nov. 18, 2024 at 10 a.m.