The cruel aunt picked up her nephew with both hands and threw him into Lake Michigan on Monday, September 19. The court also heard that the woman made sure to check around her to see if anyone is watching her. Police report the child was in cardiac arrest when divers rescued him after spending 30 minutes searching for him at the lake's bottom and he was shifted to the hospital but he is not expected to live.
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A woman accused of throwing a 3-year-old toddler into Lake Michigan at Navy Pier now faces felony charges, authorities said Wednesday.
According to Chicago police, Victoria Moreno, 34, of Des Plaines, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated abuse of a child under the age of 13.
(FOX 32)
She is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on Wednesday.
Moreno was arrested just before 2 p.m. Monday in the 700 block of East Grand Ave., where she had "pushed a 3-year-old male into the water" less than an hour before.
"[Moreno] did not attempt to rescue the victim," police said in a release. "The victim was pulled from the water by emergency personnel and transported to an area hospital in critical condition."
It was unclear whether she had an attorney.
(FOX 32)
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The charges were filed after witnesses told NBC 5 that surveillance video showed the kid being thrown into the lake "clear as day."
According to the witness, a Chicago police officer queried the guardian about the shove after seeing the video, and the lady shrugged. When rescuers came, the woman was "crying and playing the part," according to the witness. The witness talked on the condition of anonymity to disclose ongoing investigations.
Another witness stated that the guardian acted strangely as the boy struggled in the water and did not provide clear answers while people attempted to rescue him. Officials have not revealed the woman's relationship with the youngster.
"She really was not active in any of the rescue help," said Ashton King. "Essentially as soon as we got there, she kind of backed away."
King was strolling on the north side of the pier with a friend when she heard a splash.
Victoria Moreno | Chicago police
"We kind of sprung into action asking, 'Is this your son?' 'Who is this?'" said King. "[The woman] didn't really give us a clear response at all, which was very bizarre to us."
Around 1 p.m., Chicago police got a 911 call reporting a boy in the water. Dive crews were dispatched to the area, and the kid was rescued. According to a witness, the boy was in the water for roughly 15 minutes. Officials confirmed the boy was hauled out in cardiac arrest and rushed to Lurie Children's Hospital in severe condition.
According to King: "By the time we had thrown it in the water, unfortunately, the little boy had gone under."
King stated that she witnessed the conversation between police and the guardian after police examined the security tape from Navy Pier.
"Within less than five minutes, [the police] had kind of asked her [about the push] and she just folded," said King.
(FOX 32)
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The north side of Navy Pier is mostly utilized for parking and delivery, however, there is a pedestrian path along the ocean. Navy Pier issued a statement on the rescue on Monday, directing questions about the investigation to the Chicago Police Department.
“Navy Pier is deeply saddened to learn about the injury of a child pulled from the water this afternoon," the statement read. "We are working very closely with the Chicago Police Department as they investigate the incident. Our hearts are with the child and his loved ones.”