Woman with toddler arrested after NY river rescue

A woman who witnesses say hurled her toddler daughter into the chilly Hudson River on Tuesday before jumping in behind her, leading to a dramatic rescue by police officers and firefighters, has been charged with attempted murder, police said.

Devi Silvia also was charged Tuesday with assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said.

Police have witnesses who saw Silvia, 33, throw her daughter in the water and then jump in, Browne said. The pair were spotted bobbing in the water by passersby who came across an empty stroller on a pier.

Silvia and her 19-month-old daughter were taken to a Manhattan hospital, where they were listed in serious condition, authorities said. Silvia was released from the hospital and was in custody, where she couldn't be reached by telephone for comment. Her arraignment was pending.

Rescuers were called to an area of the river near 82nd Street shortly after 11:30 a.m. The pair were pulled out of the river about 10 blocks south of there. The fire department rescued the woman, who was facedown in the water, and police rescued the child, who was faceup. Both were resuscitated.

It wasn't immediately clear how long they had been in the water, which was around 50 degrees, the Coast Guard said. The fire department said about 15 minutes lapsed between the time of the call and the transport.

- AP