UPDATE: The baby boy died from his injuries Saturday. NEW DETAILS HERE
A young mother was charged with attempted homicide after police say she threw her baby boy from an Allentown bridge 52 feet above the banks of the Lehigh River and then jumped into the shallow water.
Witnesses told police the 19-year-old mother, identified as Johnesha Perry, was pushing the baby across the Hamilton Street Bridge in a stroller around 1:45 p.m. Sunday when she stopped mid-span, took the child from the carriage and tossed him into the water, investigators said.
She then climbed over the railing and jumped in after him, officials said.
Neighbors said Perry often made the trip across the river but she never did anything like that before.
Police arrived moments later. They found Perry conscious on the river bank, according to reports.
In 911 calls obtained by NBC10, dispatchers can be heard giving locations on the mother and child.
"Be advised... they have recovered the child.
Two officers — identified as Joseph Iannetta and John Leonard — spotted the baby about 700 yards downstream, pulled him from the river and performed CPR.
Their efforts revived the boy, who was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in critical condition. Perry was also rushed to the same hospital with minor injuries. She was guarded by Lehigh County Sheriffs, police confirmed.
Attempted homicide charges against the young mom were filed late Sunday night. She was also charged with two counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, officials said.
