Photo Courtesy of Instagram/ Steven Fulop
According to authorities, on September 18, New Jersey police officer Eduardo Matute rescued a one-month-old baby after a man threw the infant from a second-floor balcony.
Fox29 reported that according to a statement from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the incident took place after an altercation between police and the unidentified man ensued.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop shared a photo to Instagram in honor and gratitude of the police department, which featured Matute cradling the baby swaddled in a white blanket.
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Fulop wrote, “Thank you, JCPD. Today, the JCPD got a call that a child was in danger, they responded to the call, and at that point, they saw a male threatening to throw a baby from the 2nd story of the building. The JCPD set up a perimeter to negotiate; however, the man did throw the 1-month-old baby from the second story of the building- the officers at the scene reacted quickly and were able to catch the baby. Thankfully the baby wasn’t harmed physically. We are lucky to have the men and woman of the JCPD, as every single day I see it firsthand, they rise to meet any/all challenges.”
A spokesperson from the city mentioned that the incident happened on Saturday morning after officers on-duty got word of a man “dangling a baby over a balcony” off the second floor of a Rose Avenue building. Matute used his quick reflexes and jumped to save the child.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in a statement, “Kudos to the JCPD and all the officers involved for their heroics and for bringing a safe conclusion to this dangerous situation.”
Thank you, Officers!” she added.
Suarez also mentioned that the unidentified man had been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.