A New York baby reportedly has survived a horrific act of violence at the hands of her uncle. The unidentified 39-year-old man allegedly threw his 1-year-old niece down a garbage chute in a Staten Island apartment building on July 21, 2025. Emergency responders took the baby to an area hospital with abrasions, but she is expected to survive.
The incident took place around 3:15 p.m. and the baby’s father called 911 for help, CBS News reported. When crews arrived, they took the baby to Richmond University Hospital in stable condition. The uncle allegedly threw the baby down the garbage chute from the third floor. WLBT reported police took the “emotionally disturbed” man into custody a short time later.
The incident bothered residents, who couldn’t believe a man could do such a horrific thing to an innocent baby.
“It’s sad to put a baby down the garbage chute. I mean, mental illness is … You have to be to do something like that,” neighbor Keisha Lacey told WLBT. “Nobody in their right state of mind would do something like that to a child.”
Milton Franklin shared a similar sentiment with CBS News.
“I’m lost for words right now because I’m just … a baby down a garbage chute is just … it’s absolutely mindboggling,” Franklin said.
He told the news outlet he saw several emergency vehicles outside the building when he returned from work on Monday. He lives on the same floor as the family.
“I’m going to pray that God wraps his arms around this family and they get through this situation,” Franklin said.
The story shocked many people, who shared their disbelief in the comment section on CBS New York’s YouTube channel.
“He should get life in prison, even though she survived. I’m so tired of these brain dead dummies,” someone suggested.
“God almighty what is going on with people????” another person wrote.
It’s unclear if the uncle will face charges.
