Death penalty sought in death of child pushed off bridge
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ALLENTOWN (AP) – Prosecutors said they plan to seek capital punishment for a young mother accused of having killed her 20-month-old son by pushing him off a bridge into a river.
Twenty-year-old Johnesha Monae Perry of Allentown was arraigned Monday in Lehigh County on homicide and child endangerment charges in the May death of Zymeir Perry.
Police said Perry kissed her son on the forehead before pushing him off the bridge and into the Lehigh River 52 feet below. Two Allentown police officers recovered the baby about 700 yards downstream, but he was taken off life support six days later.
The Morning Call reported District Attorney Jim Martin said the death penalty is warranted because of the age of the child.
Defense attorneys said they will focus on Perry’s mental state.