Hartford Woman Accused of Cutting Off Victim's Fingers

Aliya Mayo rejected a plea deal and is heading to trial for the 2024 attack.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:10am

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An extreme close-up of a pair of bloodied tools against a dark background, conceptually representing the violent nature of the crime without depicting any actual violence or victims.The brutal attack on a Hartford woman has left her with life-altering injuries and raised troubling questions about the factors behind such extreme violence.Hartford Today

A 37-year-old Hartford woman named Aliya Mayo is accused of kidnapping another woman, forcing her to hold out her hands, and using a tool to cut off two of her fingers in 2024. Mayo has rejected a plea deal and is heading to trial on charges including first-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping.

Why it matters

This case highlights the severe and violent nature of the alleged crime, which left the victim with life-altering injuries. It also raises questions about the factors that may have led to such an extreme act of violence and the challenges in the criminal justice system in addressing violent crimes.

The details

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, police responded to a home on Clark Street in September 2024 on a report that someone's fingers had been cut off. They found a 51-year-old woman suffering from severe trauma to her hands and head. Both of her pointer fingers had been amputated at the hospital. The victim identified her assailant as someone she knew as 'Leya,' who was with multiple other people when she was attacked. The victim said her fingers were cut off with some kind of a 'wrench' because she had allegedly stolen from Leya.

  • On September 4, 2024, police responded to the Clark Street home.
  • A week after the attack, investigators were able to speak to the victim.

The players

Aliya Mayo

A 37-year-old Hartford resident who is accused of kidnapping the victim and cutting off her fingers.

Erica Gooden

A 37-year-old woman who was allegedly involved in the assault and is facing charges of second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, and second-degree hindering prosecution.

The Victim

A 51-year-old woman who had two of her pointer fingers amputated after the attack and suffered severe trauma to her hands and head.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

Mayo is free on $800,000 bond, and her case has been added to the state's trial list without a firm start date. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Gooden is free on $100,000 bond and is next scheduled to face a judge on April 27.

The takeaway

This case highlights the severe and violent nature of the alleged crime, which left the victim with life-altering injuries. It raises questions about the factors that may have led to such an extreme act of violence and the challenges in the criminal justice system in addressing violent crimes.