Hum Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 NEW YORK ? A newborn tossed down a housing project's trash chute survived the eight-story fall because he landed on a pile of garbage and the compactor was jammed, investigators said Monday. A maintenance worker heard a baby boy's cries coming from the trash compactor in the Walt Whitman Houses on Sunday morning. The child was taken to Brooklyn Hospital where he remains in stable condition, said Jerry Schmetterer, spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. He said the baby did not appear to have been injured in the fall. Laquasia Wright, 18, was arrested on charges of attempted murder and endangering the welfare of a child. Police said it appeared Wright had given birth shortly before tossing the baby. She was also being treated at Brooklyn Hospital on Monday and it was unclear when her arraignment would take place. A large amount of trash had collected in the compactor room over the weekend, which likely cushioned the baby's landing, police said. "The garbage probably saved that baby's life," said longtime resident Deborah Lewis, 61. Neighbors said Wright lived with her mother and other relatives in the building. Administration for Children's Services spokeswoman Elysia Murphy said the agency was investigating along with police. In a situation like this, the city normally takes custody of a child while it makes long-term care arrangements. The agency will explore whether a relative or someone close to the family would be an appropriate caregiver. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seizure1990 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Oh, hey, that's a block or two from me. the Walt Whitman Houses are public housing, aka "The Projects". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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