A 23-year-old woman died and her 5-month-old daughter was critically injured after they were allegedly pushed from a 15th-floor balcony of a Bronx apartment building in New York City early Tuesday.
The incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. at 2550 Olinville Avenue in the Allerton section of the Bronx. NYPD officers responding to reports of a woman falling from the building found the woman and infant on the pavement with injuries consistent with a fall from an elevated position.
Officers rushed the baby to Jacobi Hospital in a police vehicle, while the woman was also taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The infant suffered head injuries and remained in critical condition.
According to amNewYork, the woman was identified by sources as Nathaly Ramirez. Police have not officially released her name or the identity of the baby.
Witnesses told investigators they heard a disturbance inside the apartment before the woman and child fell. Another witness said she heard a woman yelling, “please don’t do this!” shortly before seeing something fall to the ground.
Police are investigating whether the woman and baby fell, jumped or were pushed from the apartment. Witnesses told ABC7 that the two may have been thrown from a balcony, but authorities have not confirmed that account.
Detectives were seen examining the 15th-floor balcony and searching for surveillance video and additional witnesses. Police are also looking to speak with a male person of interest believed to be in his 30s. His exact relationship to Ramirez and the baby has not been established.
The man was described by sources as having a light complexion and a ponytail and was last seen wearing a gray sweater. Police have not announced any arrests.
It remains unclear whether Ramirez and her baby were pushed from the balcony or fell on their own. Police have not identified a suspect, and the baby has not been publicly identified.
Police sources also said there was a history of domestic violence at Ramirez’s address, though authorities have not said whether it was connected to the incident.