Posted on 03/23/2006 11:05:16 PM PST by beaversmom
(New York -WABC, March 23, 2006) - A bitter custody battle ended when a man stabbed the mother of his three children then jumped into the frigid waters of New York Harbor while clutching their youngest child, an 8-month-old baby. It happened in Staten Island off of Edgewater Street just after 10:00 a.m. this morning. An NYPD officer witnessed the jump and immediately plunged into the waters to rescue the baby. Dive teams searched for the man.
Eyewitness News reporter Stacey Sager is live at the scene with details.
The father of this baby did not survive, but what this police officer did was truly amazing. He saved an eight-month-old baby boy by jumping into this freezing cold water wearing only his uniform, and risking his own life.
Officer Brian Sheehy, 120 Pct.: "Frigid. I could be a member of the Polar Bear Club now."
But Officer Brian Sheehy says he had no second thoughts when he raced here into the cold water off Edgewater Street in Staten Island after a 911 call about what appeared to be a disturbed father holding his eight-month-old baby near the edge.
Officer Brian Sheehy, 120 Pct.: "Just gave us a big stare and just walked to the water."
Investigators tell us the baby's father was 32-year-old Charles Walker, who was pulled from the water and died shortly after. They say Walker had a criminal record and had stabbed the baby's mother earlier this morning. They lived in the Stapleton Houses nearby where neighbors were saddened to hear about Walker's desperate attempt.
Sheila Taylor, Stapleton Houses Resident: "I wanted to try. You try to help everybody. It blows my mind. I even tried getting him jobs and stuff."
From Officer Sheehy's perspective there was at least one life saved today.
Officer Brian Sheehy, 120 Pct.: "When I first grabbed the baby in the water he was choking. There was obviously water in the mouth. I held him upright and swam to shore with the baby. You always have to expect the unexpected, that's what I've learned."
Ironically Sheehy and his wife are expecting their own baby next fall.
Susan Sheehy, Officer's Wife: "My heart was in my throat. I was very nervous and I'm glad he's okay. I'm glad the baby's okay and I'm very proud of him."
We're told the baby and his mother remain at St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island recovering. As for Officer Sheehy, he was released from the hospital this afternoon and said he was going back to work.
As far as women, I have been dumped more times than 'Toxic Waste' so you can see I may be influenced.
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LOL! I like your humorous wording.
I do hope things did or will turn around for you.
Christopher Lincoln,
Are you related to an old friend of mine, he was called Abraham or Abe to those close to him?
Soon I hope to be a Master bater.;
Ahhh...that could be contributing to your problems with women.
going back as in turn around as in turn on as in kill the bitch.
Guess you set him straight.
It was bad enough that the officer was in the water five minutes to save the baby. The tough part is when he had to go back out to hold Daddy's head under until he stopped struggling...
We are related only in spirit.
And what is there in this story to make you suppose that the mother of this baby is, as you say, a "bitch"?
Very true. I hope it all works out for the family now and God Bless the cop.
Our Police seldom get the accolades they should. The only ones you ever read or hear about are the .001% that are crooked. The balance put their lives on the line daily protecting us. I know this good office did not hesitate when the saw a life in danger. GOD Bless him.
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