14-Year-Old Yorba Linda Boy Arrested in Fatal Shooting of His Mother, 42

A 42-year-old woman was found shot to death in the hallway of her home Thursday afternoon, and her 14-year-old son later confessed to the slaying, police said.

Police found Cindy Dawn Connolly lying face down in her home in the 5600 block of Shady Glen Place about 3:45 p.m. after the teenager had dialed 911. Connolly had multiple gunshot wounds in her back from a .22-caliber handgun, Brea Police Sgt. Tom Flenniken said.

When authorities arrived and interviewed the boy, he said his father had just dropped him home from school, where he found his slain mother. The father, Phillip Wayne Connolly, who returned a short while later from running an errand, found police at his home and was informed that his wife had been killed.

Both father and son were taken in for questioning and the youth later admitted to the slaying, Flenniken said. The teenager was not identified because of his age.

“Apparently the mother and he had their disagreements,” Flenniken said.

A .22-caliber handgun was found outside the home, Flenniken said. The boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Juvenile Hall, where he remained Thursday night.