Officials in Illinois announced that a 3-year-old boy has died after his aunt allegedly pushed him into Lake Michigan in the city of Chicago, NBC News reported.
The kid was with Victoria Moreno on September 19 when the 34-year-old allegedly pushed him into the water in the 700 block of East Grand Street. That is the site of Navy Pier, which is a tourist attraction.
Police issued a news release saying the offender did not attempt to rescue the victim. Cops said that emergency personnel pulled the toddler from the water, and he was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Charges against Moreno may be upgraded after Brown's death
The young child, identified as Josiah Brown, was pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m. on Sunday, September 25, at Lurie Children's Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Brown's family described Josiah as a bundle of joy who loved his dad and was full of energy.
Moreno was arrested by police less than an hour after the boy was in the water at the scene. She was charged not only with first-degree attempted murder but also aggravated battery of a child, according to CBS News.
She was denied bail at a court hearing on Wednesday, where her defense attorneys argued that she has mental health issues. According to prosecutors, Moreno lives with her family in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines. She left the house with her nephew Josiah without anyone else knowing.
She allegedly allowed the toddler to crawl under a chain-link fence blocking access to the water at Navy Pier. According to the media outlet, the prosecutors said that she pulled the child toward her when she saw people watching them.
Read Also : Family Blames Hospital as Dad Dies of Internal Bleeding Just Days After Chilean Recluse Spider Bite
Moreno did not attempt to rescue Brown after he fell into the water
Prosecutors alleged that Moreno climbed over the fence when no one else was around and pushed Josiah off the platform, causing the boy to fall 6 feet into the water below. According to prosecutors, the toddler was in the water for 30 minutes before divers were able to pull him out from the bottom of the lake.
Moreno's next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, September 30, according to ABC 7 Chicago. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office also released a statement on Monday, September 26, saying that charges against Moreno so far have not been upgraded following the death of Josiah.
The statement said that they anticipate additional charges may be filed against Moreno after the medical examiner's office and police department have completed their investigations. Chicago police said during a weekly update that it is up to the state's attorney's office to upgrade any charges in the case.
