http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2015/01/08/child-dead-after-thrown-off-bridge/21430139/
Man throws young daughter from bridge
St. Petersburg, Florida -- A 5-year-old girl is dead after police say she was thrown off of a bridge by her father earlier this morning.
According to St. Pete Police, an officer was heading home around midnight, southbound toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when a Chrysler PT Cruiser passed him going about 100 MPH.
The officer began to pursue the suspect, identified as John Nicholas Jonchuck Jr. Jonchuck pulled over and stopped near the top of the dikk 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.
Hillsborough County Deputies actually had contact with Jonchuck the day before the incident, although it is unknown in what capacity. Deputies did not have enough information to Baker Act Jonchuck at the time.
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.
Johnchuck has had numerous contact with deputies and has been arrested multiple times:
Man throws young daughter from bridge
St. Petersburg, Florida -- A 5-year-old girl is dead after police say she was thrown off of a bridge by her father earlier this morning.
According to St. Pete Police, an officer was heading home around midnight, southbound toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when a Chrysler PT Cruiser passed him going about 100 MPH.
The officer began to pursue the suspect, identified as John Nicholas Jonchuck Jr. Jonchuck pulled over and stopped near the top of the dikk 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.
Hillsborough County Deputies actually had contact with Jonchuck the day before the incident, although it is unknown in what capacity. Deputies did not have enough information to Baker Act Jonchuck at the time.
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.
Johnchuck has had numerous contact with deputies and has been arrested multiple times:
- May 23, 2010 -- Jonchuck battered the victim, and Pheobe's mother, Michelle Kerr. He was arrested.
- May 26, 2013 -- Jonchuck was arrested for battering Michelle Kerr, during an argument that escalated to a physical attack.
- October 25, 2013 -- Jonchuck was accused of forging Michelle Kerr's checks. She ultimately signed a waiver not to prosecute.
- November 6, 2013 -- Jonchuck was arrested for battering his mother, Michele Jonchuck, during an argument.
- April 23, 2014 -- Jonchuck and a male acquaintance got into a physical altercation. Both parties refused to press charges.
This is like saying....
I feel for the little girl who didn't ask to be brought into that situation. How did he have custody 
The mother must be trash or scared to death of him. Even if she was scared you would let your daughter be with that psycho? He had been abusing them both based on the time line.