Del. River Search Ends for Babies Reportedly Tossed
KYW Newsradio Team Coverage --
After hours of searching on the Delaware River, the US Coast Guard has suspended its search for three children that a woman reported throwing off the Ben Franklin Bridge.
KYW's Jim Melwert reports from the Delaware riverfront that the search started around 4am and was suspended about 1pm.
According to officials, a woman later identified as Michelle ("Shelly") Perez of Camden, NJ called St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia to report that she had given birth about 20 minutes earlier and thrown the newborn off the Ben Franklin Bridge, which connects Philadelphia with New Jersey.
Later, Perez called the hospital again to say she had also thrown her two other children, ages four and two, off the bridge.
Philadelphia and Camden police and fire crews were assisting in the search.
No babies or bodies were found.
KYW's Mike DeNardo reports that authorities are still trying to find out whether the woman's story is true.
US Coast Guard petty officer Kyle Gerkens (right) said this morning that the search was being conducted by helicopter and by boat:
"The Coast Guard's main focus is the search and rescue on the Delaware River. We're searching for the persons in the water. The police agencies in Philadelphia and also on the Jersey side would be in charge of trying to locate the woman."
So far that hasn't happened. A spokesman for the Delaware River Port Authority says security cameras captured nothing unusual -- and the pedestrian walkways are locked overnight.
Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 for updates on this developing news story.
(Photo #1 from Chopper 3. Photo #2 by KYW's Jim Melwert. Photo #3 by KYW's Mike DeNardo)
