New York:
An Indian-origin woman, who tossed her infant daughter in a New York river before jumping in herself, has pleaded not guilty for reasons of mental illness under a plea deal that could see her sentenced to a psychiatric facility.
Silvia from Tamil Nadu plunged into the Hudson River with her 21-month-old daughter, Jessica Prithiviraj, in May 2010 in a suicide attempt.
Unable to swim, they drifted into the centre of the river where they were separated and nearly drowned before rescue teams scooped them out of the water, with baby Jessica not breathing. She has, however, fully recovered since.
Prosecutors said 34-year-old Devi Silvia, in an agreement with the Manhattan district attorney's office, pleaded not guilty because of mental disease as she was suffering from a bipolar disorder.
She pleaded "not responsible by reason of mental defect" for nearly killing her 18-month-old girl, the New York Daily News reported today.
Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Kevin Wilson said Silvia told her rescuers that "her baby was dead and she wanted to die."
Psychiatrists for the defence and prosecutors agreed that Salvia suffered from a bipolar disorder that had never been diagnosed.
Wilson said Silvia was unable to sleep in the days before the suicide attempt, saw lights, thought God had cleaned her dishes and heard voices telling her to jump into the river.
The medications have kept Silvia stable ever since, but if she went off them, she could be "quite dangerous." Wilson said.
When Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro asked Silvia if she threw her daughter into the Hudson river, she said, "Yes, but I didn't know what I was doing."
Carro told Silvia that doctors of the state department of mental health must examine her and that they may order her to enter a psychiatric facility. Silvia said she understood.
Beaming, Silvia left the courtroom with her husband Dominic Prithiviraj, who had his arm around her small shoulders. Their two children - both Jessica and an elder daughter - remain in India with family.
Silvia from Tamil Nadu plunged into the Hudson River with her 21-month-old daughter, Jessica Prithiviraj, in May 2010 in a suicide attempt.
Unable to swim, they drifted into the centre of the river where they were separated and nearly drowned before rescue teams scooped them out of the water, with baby Jessica not breathing. She has, however, fully recovered since.
Prosecutors said 34-year-old Devi Silvia, in an agreement with the Manhattan district attorney's office, pleaded not guilty because of mental disease as she was suffering from a bipolar disorder.
She pleaded "not responsible by reason of mental defect" for nearly killing her 18-month-old girl, the New York Daily News reported today.
Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Kevin Wilson said Silvia told her rescuers that "her baby was dead and she wanted to die."
Psychiatrists for the defence and prosecutors agreed that Salvia suffered from a bipolar disorder that had never been diagnosed.
Wilson said Silvia was unable to sleep in the days before the suicide attempt, saw lights, thought God had cleaned her dishes and heard voices telling her to jump into the river.
The medications have kept Silvia stable ever since, but if she went off them, she could be "quite dangerous." Wilson said.
When Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro asked Silvia if she threw her daughter into the Hudson river, she said, "Yes, but I didn't know what I was doing."
Carro told Silvia that doctors of the state department of mental health must examine her and that they may order her to enter a psychiatric facility. Silvia said she understood.
Beaming, Silvia left the courtroom with her husband Dominic Prithiviraj, who had his arm around her small shoulders. Their two children - both Jessica and an elder daughter - remain in India with family.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
