E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSView more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.
NEW YORK -- A woman clutching her baby son in her arms plunged eight stories out of an apartment window to her death in an apparent suicide on Wednesday, but the baby survived, police said.
Cynthia Wachenheim was found on the street with her son, 10-month-old Keston, near her arms. A police officer who responded took the baby to a hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
Police discovered a seven-page suicide note under a bed in the apartment Wachenheim shared with her husband. In the note, the 45-year-old Wachenheim said she recognized what she was about to do was "evil" but she was concerned about how her child was developing, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
It was unclear whether the baby, who neighbors said was an only child, had any mental or physical problems.
A window to the West Harlem apartment was wide open, and there were no signs of struggle inside, police said. There were no safety bars on the apartment's windows. Surveillance footage showed Wachenheim's husband leaving the apartment about an hour before her plunge from the window with the baby.
'I heard a scream'
Area resident Steven Dominguez, 18, was walking to a grocery store with his mother, Adelina Dominguez, when he saw the woman fall. He said the baby bounced off her body, breaking some of the impact of the fall, before hitting the ground nearby.
"I heard a scream like a yell," Dominguez said. "When I got closer, I saw the baby crying."
He said the baby was face-down.
"I was shocked," he said. "I couldn't believe it."
Dominguez said his mother went to pick up the baby, but an emergency response person told her to stand back.
The apartment is in a relatively new building facing Jackie Robinson Park. A crowd of onlookers had gathered nearby Wednesday afternoon, awaiting the medical examiner's office, which would determine the official cause of the woman's death.
Resident Yaa Dwamena, 32, said she's lived in the building for several years and as long as she's been there she's seen Wachenheim.
"She was very nice, very friendly, very warm," Dwamena said.
She said that the last time she saw Wachenheim was last week.
"I wouldn't have thought anything was wrong with her," she said. "They were a happy-looking family. I wouldn't think anything like this would happen."
Wachenheim went to law school at Columbia University, and her father was a state police spokesman before his death in 2011. She worked in state Supreme Court in Manhattan doing legal research for judges, court officials said.
"We are all deeply saddened about this tragic incident," state courts spokesman David Bookstaver said. "Our thoughts are with Ms. Wachenheim's family."
Leave a Comment:
Wow man.
If anything, I am glad that the innocent little child made it through something that he had nothing to do with.
It disgusts me when a parent uses their child as a pawn in death just to spite their partner.... There is a reason this child survived. Lucky for him, Mom was fluffy.....
A lot of assumptions in your post.
Oh, I didn't know you knew that woman...
Yes, lot's of assumptions.
Sad story.
Yes, other than the suicide note, maybe she was doing the Harlem Shuffle, tripped on the rug, spun off the chair, the baby flew out the window, she jumped, caught up with it in mid air like Super Man and saved her with her body. She is a hero. GMUS
Anyone know about PMDD? From birth to three years, women suffering from PMS/PMDD have a difficult time every month. Now bear in mind this was an older woman who had a child, and that child is under a year old. Complications in your forties are common.
Women with PMDD/severe PMS can become suicidal or homicidal due to a severe hormonal imbalance that affects their mental state. Suicide, homicide, depression and anxiety are par for the course with PMS/PMDD, and these symptoms are made incredibly worse by pregnancy. Couple that with the strain of having a firstborn at forty.
But if you read any story about where a woman commits suicide or kills her child, and you'll notice the child is almost always within that birth to three-year-old range. That usually indicates that a period-related complication has affected the mother's judgment.
We don't know what was going on, but bear in mind that people can put up a good front... to let others see what they want to see, not what is there.
Judge not lest ye be judged, and all. She's met her end. Thankfully her son survived and may he recover as well as possible.
What a horrible tragedy, but I am glad the baby survived.
I read another article about this, and there were a lot more details there; enough that it almost seemed like a different story. They talked about the neighbors hearing she and her husband arguing (although it is clear he had nothing to do with it directly), her job as a $118K court worker, and her baby being OK, except for scratches (not in critical condition). There are also pictures of the building, and the mother.
It will be interesting to see how the details clear up.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mother-infant-dead-8-story-fall-article-1.1287649
Kevin: that's what always disgusts me about people reading a headline and jumping to conclusions.
The woman wrote a seven-page suicide note. She clearly didn't make an impulsive leap out the window. There were issues going on for a while, we don't know what they were, and yet people have the urge to just lash out... and somehow find satisfaction in doing so.
For her to say she was concerned about how the child was developing, it almost sounds as if she thought he was the devil or something. That's what first crossed my mind, anyway. It seems like a lot of mentally ill women who murder their children think the children are evil. Regardless, such a sad story. I hope the baby makes a complete physical recovery.
they said it was because she didnt want to face what the child would be going threw,nothing about her husband.she could of let the child be adopted or some other avenue ,what a shame,people are loosing hope these days, that sad,god be with the child
Kevinc, thank you for the article. At least there are actual facts in it. I do pray the child only has scratches and that the CT scan shows nothing more. Sure wish she hadn't blown off the counselor. My condolences to the friends and family.
While we're assuming, let's assume she was disheartened with all the bad news on MSN every day and didn't want her baby to grow up in this F'd up, backwards, liberal world.
Quit judging, Christian! I assume you are a Christian...
Creek Dog, I usually appreciate your down to earth posts. But that one is out of character.
You don't know anything about her relationship with her husband to assume it was a spousal spite thing. This sounds more like post-pardom depression. It is VERY common for new mothers to have visions of horrific deaths of self and baby. Psychologists link it to the odd combination of the protective mother instinct with clinical depression.
It has nothing to do with spiting the husband.
Marigold, I think you are right. In her suicide note, near the end, she mentions postpartum depression. More than likely that is the cause of this horrible incident.
Also to Creek Dog, if you look at her picture on other news sites, she doesn't look all that fluffy.
Until they could determine the cause of death.I wonder if blunt force trauma had anything to do with it..To bad for the baby.One can only wish that it recovers well....
Untreated Post Partum Depression maybe?
Or maybe it's just work of Satan, she was possessed and killed herself.
People continue to deny the existence of Satan and the effect his followers have on humans, but there is evidence of it every week in the news.
It is real. And the only way to treat it is to pray.
Thanks, EggsCaliber!!! I was taking a drink of milk right when I read your post and I blew it out through my nose and mouth and all over my hands, you donk!!! ROFLMAO!!!
So the suicide note was under the bed? Does anyone else think this is odd? Did the note have date on it?
Sometimes a person will write a suicide note and then decide to not carry it out, if not postpone it. If the spouse is aware of the note, and it isn't dated in any way, it creates a near-perfect opportunity for homicide.
And all this time they have been presented as security bars.
When is NY going to outlaw windows without bars? It is amazing how lethal those windows can be. As for support for my position, how many people are killed by falling out of windows at Rikers Island?
Another option is to outlaw windows in NY.
Yes, you're correct. It "was" out of character for me however, I read a few stories about this situation on other sites where it stated that the husband was fighting with her and slammed the door on the way out about an hr before she jumped.
This gave me the indication of my assumptions. There is a lot more to this (MSN) story than they posted on this site.
This vine is here for everyone to post their thoughts just as you did and just as I did however, I can't please everybody with my posts and neither can you. My apologies for offending anyone.
Even though she may have had depression, it kills me for someone to hurt or kill a child. Fluffy was "Sarc". The child was extremely fortunate to land on his mother and live considering he had no choice in this terrible matter and regardless of her state of mind, I find it hard to defend her actions.
Take care...
Just perhaps Creek Dog, the husband's anger was the last straw - perhaps his anger reinforced her feelings of self-loathing and imagined short-comings and failure as a mother?
New mothers often feel that they are not a good mother, it's a huge responsibility and they are fearful that they are not doing the job well. But then you are so perfect that you can't possibly relate to anyone who has problems.
No one is defending her actions, they are just trying to show human compassion for what was most likely a mentally ill woman.
You know, compassion, well most likely not. (I've seen multiple comments from you) Look it up in the dictionary!
Way to completely ignore the facts of the case and insert your own BS reasons. It sounds like there was no issue with the husband, and imagined issues with the child. I would bet dollars to donuts she was suffering PPD. In which case, it's terribly sad all around. There's so much help for PPD nowadays, but so many moms hide their problems because they fear they are a failure as a mom and other people will judge them or take their baby away.
As much as I would like to feel badly for the mother; I am not able to. She chose to end her life and not get help (presuming she had post-partem or some other mental health problem) and to "take" her child with her downward spiral. Very selfish act - anyone who choses suicide over obtaining medical help. The best part, the child survived and is in stable condition and he has his father to raise him.
No, I do not "know" this woman nor do I "know" her family. That is beside the point. Whether or not her relationship with her husband was/was not what we all presume it to be; she could have left; she should have found a way to received help for her post-partem.
It's called post-partum psychosis, different than post-partum depression. It's a very serious matter.
Kimberly...You are being very judgmental. I do not know this woman either, and I do not know if she was actually mentally ill, or perhaps suffering from PPD (those are not the same thing) but do you really think it is easy to get help for suicidal feelings? As someone who is actually mentally ill, I have been trying my whole life to get help. Until I was 26 not a single doctor, therapist, etc. was able to provide me with any help. Yes, I have attempted suicide several times. After the last time I lost custody of my children (although I never hurt them or threatened to) and am still in court several months later trying to get them back. That is neither here nor there, but to say "there's plenty of help if you're suicidal," you have obviously never had the issue or tried to get help before.
@Creek...
I see it's an uphill battle with some on this vine.. I noticed that you wrote you checked with other news sites before making that assumption... Too many people here drink from the same well.. I like my koolaid watered down too. You problably have more on this story than what MSN is putting out..
Back East,
Thanks man. Greatly appreciated....
Yeah, seems I have my back against the wall from women only here. I figured this anyway but hey, I'm an honest guy, posting my personal opinion and can't please them all nor am I trying to. Oh well, it is what it is....
I was hoping that MSN would update it to help me out since i did get way more information from other sites where you cannot post your thoughts as this one allows which obviously confused a few epople here.
From NJ? I am.
Later on...
Wonder if the baby was autistic or had down's syndrome - she got overwhelmed with such a situation in Harlem - probably thought the baby growing up with daddy - who might have been harsh - was too much - I hope daddy can just love the baby and get support - autism or Down's Syndrome - that's rough in the projects. I once visited a special school in a poor neighborhood - ten disabled kids to one teacher - they could not control the situation - it was a daycare - hopeless - It's just not fair to those babies.
Creek Dog,
I always look forward to your comments. Well-balanced and thought out, without being disrespectful the way many others like to be. I'm a woman and am completely on your side. I don't care if she had depression or PPD or whatever other illness people claim, what she did was terrible. I've got depression and if I ever THOUGHT about harming an innocent bystander (much less my own child), I would tell you to dispense justice as you see fit. Having an illness doesn't make the act of murder any less horrific, and doesn't make me sympathize with the act. I would have sympathized with her in life, but in death she was selfish and cruel. Kill yourself, but leave the kid out of it.
How sad. She sounded like a good person, a hard-working person, with a lot of emotional or mental turmoil or both. I hope her baby survives and will be okay. I wish she would have found a way to talk to someone about the way she was feeling before doing this. Very sad :(
amynoelle
Very good post and thank you for understanding. I think that a lot of people are not used to reading sarcasm from me and take it too seriously. If you noticed, all the people above who lashed out at me are women. Guess I should refrain from commenting on stories involving woman.
Just when I thought I had them all figured out! ;-)
Take care now...
amynoelle, you clearly have no idea what Post Partum Depression or Psychosis is. You can only understand if you experience it and it can be extremely severe for some women, to the point where they cannot tell reality from the world they see they are in. Sometimes the depression is mild, sometimes it's severe, sometimes it's in between. When someone is mentally in another realm, they cannot just snap their fingers and get back to reality. It is not like being in a funk or being sad like general depression. Of course, someone who has never experienced this would not understand and would be wise to keep their mouth shut. Unless you are a licensed in Psychology or Psychiatry, or you have experienced Post-Partum Depression or Psychosis, you have no idea what you are talking about. I bet you are a Christian too, putting what you "feel" above scientific facts. Typical idiot.
CD,
I am a woman and didn't lash out, but I also read all the other news first and MSN is the very last one, because usually it always has incomplete articles, sometimes very poorly written ones.
But at the same time I am also a conservative, and I am in total favor of the 2nd Amendment and support the troops. And (whispering) I have faith in God.
And maybe I will get my thread collapsed just by admitting that.
It is sad when a parent acts as this woman did. But there is such a thing as mental illness, and I would not be surprised if it was a factor in this suicide.
Let's be glad the child survived and has one parent left to care for it.
I agree, mental health is a real problem in this country. And postpartum depression is very real, I wonder if she was displaying any symptoms leading up to this. People need to be aware and get help before such tragedies occur.
Good morning Creek Dog, stonepipe 2 nice to see familiar faces, get others perspectives on a difficult tragedy.
Suicide is always a tough topic and a harder subject to struggle to understand when it involves parents and their children.For logically, what loving parent would dare even think about harming their own flesh and blood when they are considering taking their own life? It would seem to defy every fiber of ones own being, their deepest soul and heart, which any decent parent simply can't comprehend.They would willingly lay down their life gladly to protect not just their own children, but ANY child in the world. So, how can it happen that another parent will kill their own child?
As was pointed out else where,chemicals play a massive role in how we feel, think,react, and even perceive the world to be. We have all seen how teenagers can lose it, not thinking rationally at times because of hormones.Apply sheer exhaustion from not sleeping very well, chronically. It does wear a person down eventually. Science has done research, performed tests, proving you, I, why practically anyone can be driven to the edge of depression. We all have our limits of what we can tolerate, ultimately.You may have noticed the suicide increase not just in our nation, but around the world. Higher numbers especially being seen in more industrialized nations at faster rates. Sadly there is still too much stigma attached to suicide.
GM, First Lady.
I wonder how much of situations like this are influenced by mental illness and how much is influenced by factors like poor problem-solving skills and chemical imbalances in the body, not just in the mind.
The effects of toxic chemicals in every aspect of our lives can literally change the way we feel and think. I'm especially sensitive to mold and chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. When I've had a big exposure to them, I cannot think clearly and have difficulty controlling my feelings of anger and frustration. It's very scary and very real. Fortunately, the homeopathic remedies my doctor makes for me clear my system. If I didn't use them, I probably would have killed myself by now...
I get frustrated when allopathic medical doctors talk about mental illness without being open to researching the real cause of the symptoms. That mentality is not only adding to the expense of health care, but it is literally killing people.
I agree. Post Partum Depression is something misunderstood because when someone has not experienced extreme post partum depression, there is no way they can understand what it is like. it is not some general form of depression where you just feel like you are "in a funk". It can really change who you are as a person and even you cannot understand your own feelings. It's not something you can help feeling. I had post-partum depression when my daughter was born, but nothing to this extent. I feel very badly for this woman because if she was suffering from this, she probably didn't know how to try to cope. Many people do not understand. It is not always just cold-blooded murder or whatever; post-partum depression or psychosis can be a very scary mental disorder that changes you. I am so glad I came out of it, but some women have it much worse than I had and I feel terribly for them. It's a very hard condition to fight off. I hope her little boy will survive and be okay.
I don't think she did it because of her husband, she said she was concerned with the child's development. Didn't mention the husband. My thought is the same as dman. I think it was because of something like Post Partem Depression.
My condolences to the family and friends for their loss. Hopefully the child will make a full recovery.
As for all your liberals out there when do we start the ban on buildings over 2 stories? I am sure legislation will start next week someitme.
Eggs and ham (you do go well together-both jerks!) - you are both revolting! What heartless, nasty comments. Shame on you!
You are correct Emma..but in the real world comments do come out from people and as sad as I am to read this I can relate to those comments.. I can't say I agree with them but after reading post on mental issues or PPD it all kind of falls under the same...Ban guns Ban 8th floors.sad yes but just roll with it. It is what it is...
@Enma3...thanks I guess. Coming from the likes of you I take that as a compliment.
And severe depression can lead to psychosis. I could imagine that she had distorted perceptions of the baby, the husband trying to bring some reality but getting frustrated, and the mom's perception at that point being that "nobody will ever understand", hopelessness, and taking that leap.
I hope no one blames themselves for this, because all of the blame goes to the woman who chose to do this. Please, please, let the baby survive without permanent injury.
Redmoth---- Belive me. I'am not blaming myself.
I don't think redmoth was talking about you. Go have a snack.
I suspect you are either a man, who has no idea what post-partum depression feels like, or a woman who has never experienced post-partum depression. Shut your trap until you understand it, which you likely never will.
If the woman was heard screaming as she jumped, wouldnt the fall be justification for a cause of death? Im just saying, 8 stories up is a no brainer!!!
It wasn't the fall that killed her - it was the sudden stop at the end.
Ess Vdb, I was just about to take a drink of my coffee glad I hadn't when I got to your post or it would be all over my keyboard and monitor! lol
Oh yes, because death is so damn funny. <sarcasm>
What a sad story. What's even sadder is the nasty remarks being made. Did any of you know her? How can you determine her reasons from a short article? How about some compassion? It sounds as though the baby was most probably developmentally disabled. Perhaps the mother loved him so much, she didn't want him to experience a pain filled life. You know where people think it is funny to call intellectually challenged people, retards and constantly torment them. She left a seven page suicide note which the journalists did not see. Perhaps, we could all show some compassion and give the poor dead woman the benefit of the doubt before condemning her?
I agree with you in part. We live in a cruel world some times, but we cannot give in to that kind of mentality. Reach out a hand and make a difference! Sometimes just listening and talking and yes, getting your hands dirty can make a difference! It IS a wonderful world.
Enma, you've made the most sensible comment of the day. I hope people realize depression is a silent killer that strikes when it's too late. Neighbors saw her as a happy and kind woman; this is how most people hide their depression and despair. Condolences to her family and hope the child recover and never finds out how his mother died until he is old enough to understand.
Creek Dog, are you privy to some other article on this tragic story? From THIS article, it appears there weren't any problems:
Margaret (#3) may be correct about the post-partum depression; I would offer an extreme case of a mixture of PPD and Munchausen (perhaps the woman's concern over the child's development was all in her head). Either way, what a sad, sad thing. Condolences to the families and prayers for the child.
Actually, from the story I linked to above, this is a quote:
@Enma- She tried to kill her child but you want to give her the benefit of the doubt? Since when are we able to take murder into our own hands when a child *may* have developmental issues. Compassion needs to be given to this child, not the dumb mother who killed herself and tried to take a young child with her.
You heartless worm! Perhaps the mother was mentally unbalanced? Perhaps? DUH! How about compassion for both mother and child until you actually know the facts! But, oh no, facts, shmacts, they aren't important. How about before you condemn her to hell, you actually find out what was going on. The woman is dead, isn't that enough for you?
We are getting bare-bones information from NBC News--not exactly a hothouse for accuracy to begin with, much less able to provide all the details.
Nobody knows what was going on with this woman, probably not even her husband. Enma is right about expressing compassion. We don't know how long or how deeply this woman might have suffered from some form of depression; the fact that she wrote a seven-page note means this wasn't a spontaneous thing, but a long and painful process that led to a tragic conclusion.
And until you have suffered from depression yourself, YOU DON'T KNOW where it'll take you and YOU CAN'T JUDGE OTHERS for where it takes them.
I've been battling depression for decades. That doesn't mean I would kill my child (or anyone else, for that matter). I would have compassion for this woman if depression caused her to kill HERSELF, but not when she tries to take her baby out with her.
Well, Beach Bum aren't you special! There are many degrees of depression. If you indeed have been battling depression you should know that and also should be aware that you cannot know how your depression may affect you in the future.
Csams & BeachBum; just shut your mouth and give out condolences this a sad article and this family shouldn't be reading hatrid comments they been through enough! Condolence to the family and i hope the baby makes a fast recovery.
I agree Rose, how terrible. I hope the baby is okay. What pisses me off is she had a child allot of women can only wish for. But life goes on and I am sure the baby will be okay.
it kills me inside when there is a sad article and you get a bunch a people spewing hatrid ugh makes me angry
I will never be able to understand why people do this. Ask for help first, please. There is no shame in it.
No offense intended, but your comment is a good example of how it is impossible to understand how depression feels unless you have experienced it first-hand. People kill themselves because they have no hope left. They don't ask for help because they want to die; they appear normal beforehand because they don't want to be prevented from ending their life. Here is something I wonder about though--a person might be able to prevent another person from committing suicide in the short term, but how long are they willing to maintain support for that person? People are often angry at those who commit suicide because they don't ask for help, but who is really prepared to help another person to the extent required to make them want to live again? It's a nice sentiment, but once a person is that depressed, it is very difficult for them to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I myself was helped by antidepressants, but it took over a year of trying various medications and combinations before finding the ones that worked for me and a lot of money for medical expenses and a lot of effort to maintain the motivation to get better. For chronically depressed folks who aren't helped by medications, it can be really hard to maintain the will to live.
well said woodrat i agree with what you said
Feel blessed you don't understand, it is a sad story, her death and understanding.
Breaking News: Mayor Bloomberg just announced he will push for banning windows in buildings above the first floor.
Further Breaking News: There's always a jerk that tries to make every story political.
You cannot escape the politics of it. Obama and the left have put a stigma on mentally and physically "not perfect" babies. If they are not perfect, they need to be aborted so "it" wouldn't be a burden to the parents and society. In Obama's words, "We must not punish a woman with a baby", especially one that is not perfect. The mom in this case had fallen victim to this thinking and felt compelled to kill the child rather than burdening society with it.
No they haven't. You're just a troll who would blame Obama for anything.
Got the rest of the quote, because without it has no context. I'm willing to bet he was talking about cases where the woman is raped.
Btw, just to have a bit of fun with you. You, yourself just said, and I quote:
That's what you wrote, above. You sick bastard. What do you mean I took it out of context?
JobSeeker- Actually, the left wants to allow children with mental and physical difficulties to get much needed health care. The right would rather wash their hands of the whole situation.
And if you spend less time on MSN making comments, you might have more time to seek a job.
I have a perfect job for you Job Seeker; it's called a troll. Seek no more because you are one.
@Rob.....
Where in the attached link does it say Obama was talking about rape? He said he rather not punish his daughters with baby than for them to contract a STD. If he was talking about rape, an abortion wouldn't get rid of the STD.
The article said the lady was "concerned about how her child was developing". I don't think she jumped out the window to get some fresh air. Yes, she wanted to "kill" the not-so-perfect baby.
@idget16........Apparently, the mother didn't think ObamaCare will help her child much.
Okay Jobseeker, I'll bite. He wasn't talking about rape, no. He also wasn't talking about babies that are not 'perfect'. Birth control can include things like condoms, etc, you know. The fact that he mentions STD's lead me to believe he is talking about the idea that he wants kids to be told about options including that, rather than just abstinence so that in the event they make a mistake (and have sex) they won't get pregnant, or catch an STD. You seem to have (willfully I reckon) ignored the fact his comments were (according to the article) prompted by a discussion on abstinence only education.
Quote from the article:
You're still a troll. And context is still everything.
By the way, what you said were Obama's words were not actually Obama's words at all. You can't even get the quote right. And then you wonder why I got the impression he may have been talking about rape.
You're not even a good troll.
@Rob.........What's a troll? I suspect anyone who comments on here are looking for someone to read it and get a response. Does that make you a troll? BTW, about the job, I can chew gum and walk at the same time. Can you?
You can walk and chew gum at the same time? Well done!
No, I'm not a troll. I'm not the one who brought Obama into a topic that has nothing to do with him. I'm not the one who then totally took a comment he made out of context in order to demonize him, falsely. And I'm not the one who completely misquoted him to top it off.
@Rob......
No, you just make false claims until someone calls BS on you. I hope you have better luck at the black jack table.
Her pain in living was greater than her fear of dying. Suicide is a tragic event.
I am a 45 year old healthy woman who thought very hard to care for a baby. With all my experience, I can tell you, it is not wise to try to raise a baby at that age. Maybe that was the case. Another reason: babies with that old Moms can have problems that add to the woes of older Moms. I know people will not like this comment but this is from my experience. Can't beat nature.....can't beat aging even though we can dye our hair and try anti-wrinkle creams.
My husband and I were almost 40 before we were blessed with a child, after suffering a few miscarriages. It isn't a cakewalk to raise a child at any age, much less being older (which has nothing to do with it unless you're in poor health, which could also be said for people in their 20s). And being depressed isn't a reason to kill your child(ren) either (ex: Andrea Yates). Children are gifts given to us (unless you're a Duggar, and then it's a paycheck). Having said that, I just hope little Keston makes a full recovery. Bones can be mended, but having your head bounced around at that age is never a good thing.
@Mykiddosmom- Do you know the Duggars? Why do you have to be rude about how many kids they have? Where has everyone's compassion gone? I'm angry so I'm going to bring down someone else to make me feel better! Gross! The Duggars' didn't go on TV until their oldest was in his teens, they were never on welfare, and were able to afford all of those kids. So, maybe you should think before you speak! Or don't people do that anymore?
Ama1234, perhaps they went on TV to make money for all the little mouths that came later? And what significance does it make that they didn't go on TV until the oldest was in his teens??
I know a few families with 12 or more children, and they never went on TV at all to seek attention for themselves. The Duggars just announced two more grandchildren. Why?
It's because they wanted more airtime. Somehow they are making money from this. And the more children under the Duggar brand that are spawned, the more money they get.
I certainly don't know what drove this woman to try to kill her child this way. I pray that the child will not suffer any further mental or physical problems from this terrible ordeal. I certainly wish she would have talked to someone that could have helped her, but she didn't. I'm glad she didn't succeed like so many other mother murderers have, but pray she didn't do any further damage to the child. The innocent ones always seem to suffer. My condolences to the family and friends.
More often than not when a woman "thinks there is something wrong with the way the child is developing" she has paranoia directly associated with PPD. Many parents have children with disabilities and they don't try to off themselves and the child. She was suffering. Sadly its so very common to have PPD, and so often nobody knows it.
Not always true. A friend knew her son had problems-he walked funny. The doctor said it was just that babies walk funny - well one leg was inches shorter than the other. When he started talking, she again told the doctor, he has a speech impediment. Again, no, it's just being a baby. He was later diagnosed with Speech Apraxia - she was right.
My sister's son had multiple strange quirks. She spoke to his doctor. It was just nervous habits. He has since been diagnosed with OCD and Asperger's Syndrome.
Perhaps doctors should listen to mothers who are with children 24/7 and not base everything on a 15 minute office visit!
Just sad.
It's so easy to sit in front of a computer screen and pass judgment on what others do, but unless you've lived in their skin and felt their pain, hurt, frustration, fear and emotional distress, you have no actual knowledge and anything said is just ignorance of the facts. I just hope the baby will recover and go on to live a normal life, in whatever form that may take.
Obviously the woman was nuts. How else could she commit suicide taking her innocent baby with her? I hope the baby will be okay because it's in bad condition. You never know when someone is going to snap.
Oh are you and Jamie psychologists? Is that your professional opinions?
maybe
stand up, i totally agree,women have it hard at that age and i been watching and reading about it,even a young woman can go threw it,there need to be more studies on this condition,and with this economy and such there is lot of stress.to all the women out there,please get help please and dont loose hope even when you think there nothing out there for you,god bless her family and i pray for the babys healing
When I read comments regarding a tragic story like this one, I am reminded of just how stupid, cruel and ignorant the general public is. Events like this are a product of mental illness. I am no bleeding heart liberal by any means - people are responsible for their actions, but more often than we realize, biochemistry impairs a persons ability to reason. For those of us lucky enough not to suffer from mental illness, its hard to imagine the intensity of the feelings and impulses victims feel. Because they are not a product of cognition, they often are so far outside of the normal human experience, we can not grasp what its like. People do not chose to do such things - its is out of thier control.
The only response to something like this is pity and compassion. This child and its father will struggle with the pain of this loss for the rest of their lives - as will every one in the family. It is a heart breaking event. For those who care to make fun - may you suffer a similar loss in your life.
I have little sympathy for mental illness. More often than not it is an excuse for controlling behavior or worse. I don't think luck has anything to do with it. And although you mention biochemistry as a cause/symptom, if that were proven mental illness might be treatable.
The truth is that 99% of the drugs used to treat mental illness are some form of sedative designed to blot out much of the thought process. As soon as the mentally ill person feels "better" they have the strong urge to stop taking their meds. That's not a cure, and not even a good treatment. There is, for instance, no way people taking this type of medication are safe to drive. Or tend children.
Whoever is saying postpartum depression, that is probably correct. But...that is often the first symptom of a greater mental illness. The "mental health industry" has a dismal record of successfully treating, understanding or helping victims accommodate their problems. They haven't progressed much past phrenology.
If you're crazy, you're crazy. To be diagnosed with a psychosis should mean anaylsis of potential danger to others around you. Before you jump out a window with your child or shoot up a theater or grade school.
Steve the dog man- I certainly hope no one you know or love will ever become mentally ill. What do you think the mentally ill should do? Just get over it? I'm sure they all wish it was that easy. So apparently you think no one with a mental illness deserves to live? Not sure what you are implying with your diatribe.
For God's sake, Steve. Were you born in 1642?
How ironic that Steve would post a comment like that in reply to the original one by Hans, perfectly illustrating exactly what he was saying.
A total lack of empathy. Bravo.
Wow. How very intuitive. As someone who lost a bipolar brother to suicide, I can tell you that his was a lifelong struggle for all concerned. We never tried to control his behavior; he was the most spiritually generous, intellectual and creative being I have ever known. When properly medicated, he was not "sedated" but very functional. In other words, it was "treatable." Not necessarily curable. Yes, he tended to stop taking his meds as soon as he felt better... not so different from millions of people who stop taking their prescribed antibiotics as soon as they feel better, despite the label saying to take them until they are gone. That doesn't mean our ear infection, UTI, or strep throat (or any other infection) is untreatable. It means that's what humans tend to do, because we don't like the side effects or for some other reason.
I have known some very dark times in my own life, when suicide was a consideration. On two occasions, when I was very young, I attempted it but did not really know how to do it successfully without alerting someone to the attempt. I pretended to be fine, as I have always pretended to be fine. Other than those two days, I have always chosen to fight another day. I have never regretted it, but I can certainly understand the mindset of one who chooses otherwise.
Whatever was going through this mother's head, instead of judging, please consider yourself lucky that you do NOT understand; that you are not in such a dark place. I assure you that, however misguided, she probably thought what she was doing was best for both herself and her son. She probably even acted out of love. That does not make it right. It just makes it incomprehensible to those of us who would choose otherwise.
Wonderful post Julie. I am sorry for your loss. I've had one too, my sister. She was the sweetest, kindest woman with a heart of gold and a lot of love. Unfortunately, the love she gave to others, she did not keep any for herself.
Wow Steve! It's apparent you know nothing about mental illness so with that you probably should not speak on the subject. My sister has dealt with this illness for over a decade now and on several occassions has been very suicidal. She has not succeeded by the grace of God and her family caring for her. You talk about "them" being on the streets and mass killing and what not....on that part you are right. We have our wonderful Ronald Reagan to thank for that as he was the one that shut the door on funding for these people to live in a controlled environment. Yes a lot of them do quit taking their meds because they think they are better. This is why the majority need to be in assisted living so that they are monitored on a daily basis. They are not capable of making rational life decisions but thanks to our government this has been stripped away from them. I would way rather have my tax dollars going to an uncontrollable cause such as illness as opposed to the able bodied welfare recipients who suck off the system.
Enma, I am, likewise sorry for your loss. I have always told people that the only person who didn't love my brother, was himself. His death took from me the one person I would surely have turned to, had someone else I loved committed suicide. I have "adapted" but fifteen years later, still cannot conceive of the concept of a "normal" life with him gone. Ironically, I suspect he thought he was doing me (and everyone else) a favor. I'm sure you know what I mean.
I want to know how the emergency response got there so fast. Some one saw her fall and went to pick up the baby and the response person said stay back. That is fast.
Telephone.
There's much more to this story in the New York Daily News, more than what's being reported here. According to that article 2 NYPD narcotics detectives were parking a car nearby and were the first to respond after they saw the tragic fall.
No @!$%#!! That was way fast!!
It is sad that people will go to such lengths to get our of missery instead of reaching out for help because there are so many ways to do that these days.
I just hope the innocent child does survive because he/she a babt and that is just not fair.
"She worked in state Supreme Court in Manhattan doing
legal research for judges" Hmm what was she working on? Did she actually write that note that was hidden under the bed? Who hides suicide notes? Seven pages at that.
Paranoid much?
One would hide a suicide note if one wrote it in advance and wanted to be sure it was not found prior to the act one was feeling compelled to commit.
Agreed with Julie. It wouldn't be the kind of thing you leave in plain sight while you are writing it.
One more thing why did they even look under the bed?
They were checking for dust bunnies - SMH! That's how a police investigation is done. Even though appearances highly suggest a suicide. Any unnatural death must be investigated thoroughly.
Because, since the time that beds were invented, people have been stashing things under them.
The folks who are speculating why she did it are in my opinion simply trying to make sense out of something that is senseless.
It is obvious she was not rational. Poor baby: I hope he survives.
Thank you Tina. That pretty much sums it up. Even those of us familiar with mental illness in the family can't comprehend what the mentally ill sometimes do. And the mentally ill can't comprehend reality. She likely just wanted to rest, have peace and not feel the anguish any more. That's about as close as you can get to "understanding" unless you've been there yourself.