14-Year Prison Sentence for Staten Island Woman Who Killed Her Mother

Staten Island Woman Sentenced to 14 Years for Strangling Mother in 2022

A Staten Island woman who admitted to strangling her mother inside their South Shore home two years ago has been sentenced to prison, according to court records.

Mauri Belarmino, 42, of Huguenot, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in state Supreme Court, St. George. On Dec. 5, Justice Lisa Grey sentenced her to 14 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The plea deal spared her from facing a second-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

Belarmino’s mother, 74-year-old Sherylyn Bailey, was a beloved educator, author, and community leader who survived breast cancer twice. Bailey, a former social studies teacher and dean at Rocco Laurie Intermediate School (I.S. 72) in New Springville, was widely admired for her dedication to education and community service.

Family Dispute Escalates to Tragedy

On Sept. 10, 2022, officers responded to a 911 call about an unconscious woman at 43 Ramapo Avenue. Initially believed to be a natural death, the medical examiner later ruled Bailey’s death a homicide caused by strangulation.

Authorities said the incident began as a heated argument inside their home, where Belarmino lived with her teenage son. Neighbors noted that the family had resided there for more than a decade.

Belarmino, who was employed as a pediatric nurse for the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and was a former NYPD officer, was represented in court by S. Maquita Moody of the Legal Aid Society.

Cryptic Social Media Posts

In the months leading up to the killing, Belarmino made a series of cryptic posts on social media, hinting at her mental state.

In July 2022, she wrote, “My mom. We’ve been through it, but she’s always been there for me when it counts. I inherited some of her dreams, so I know the pain of being ‘almost there’ in terms of ‘greatness.’”

Weeks later, following her mother’s death but before it was officially ruled a homicide, Belarmino posted eerie messages, including one referencing “the silkiest coffin lining” and “the most haunted of castles.”

A Community Mourns

Bailey’s death left the Staten Island community in shock. As a teacher, she was known for her ability to bring the community into her classroom, inspiring countless students over her nearly two-decade career.

“RIP to the best teacher I ever had, I’m gonna miss you,” wrote one former student.

Bailey was also an active advocate for breast cancer research, serving as a coordinator for Strides Against Breast Cancer and participating in numerous fundraising efforts.

The tragic case continues to resonate in the community, as family, friends, and former students remember Bailey’s enduring legacy.

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