Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Girl, 5, dies after being thrown from bridge allegedly by her father, According to a St. Petersburg Police spokesperson, just after midnight, a St. Petersburg Police officer was heading home, southbound toward the Skyway Bridge and a Chrysler PT Cruiser passed him going about 100 miles per hour.
The officer began to pursue the suspect, identified as John Nicholas Jonchuck Jr. Jonchuck pulled over and stopped near the top of the Dick Misener Bridge on the approach to the Skyway. The officer then reportedly saw Jonchuck get out of his car and throw his daughter, Phoebe Jonchuck, over the side of the rail and into the water. Police say it was about a 60-foot drop.
Jonchuck got back in his car and drove south, and was eventually stopped by Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputies about 30 minutes later near the University Parkway exit.
Phoebe was located about an hour later and taken to All Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police say at this time, they are unsure if the girl was alive when she was thrown over the bridge.
Several dive teams were involved in the search for the child, including The Coast Guard. The child was recovered by dive teams from Eckerd College about a mile from the bridge.
St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway says Jonchuck had custody of the child, and had filed a domestic violence charge against child’s mother a month ago. It was thrown out. Records show he lived with his parents in Tampa.
Jonchuck himself has had several prior arrests, including domestic battery in 2008 and a DUI charge in 2013. Police say he is not cooperating with detectives at this time.
Chief Holloway says he will identify the officer who saw Jonchuck throw his daughter from the bridge later today, and that he is currently at home resting. Jonchuck allegedly let his daughter go right in front of the officer, who tried unsuccessfully to stop him.
Jonchuck is charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a law enforcement officer. His bond hearing is expected later today.
Agencies/Canadajournal
