Chicago dad arrested for allegedly trying to drown 2-year-old son as sacrifice
09/13/2023 3:36 pm PDT
CHICAGO (TCD) -- A Lyft driver helped save a little boy's life after calling police and reporting a man who spoke about wanted to drown his son as a sacrifice.
According to court records cited by the Chicago Tribune, on Aug. 25, a Lyft driver transported Jeremiah Campbell and his 2-year-old son to a residence on South Shore Drive. During the ride, the driver reportedly overheard Campbell telling the boy he would be sacrificed to Jehovah by drowning him.
The same night, someone from the same South Shore Drive address called Chicago Police and informed them his son drowned in the bath. Police accuse Campbell of putting the boy "in the bathtub and depriving him of oxygen."
WGN-TV, which also cites the arrest report, says Chicago Police officers went to the home and knocked on the door, but there was no response. Officers reportedly looked in a window and saw a man near the bathtub and made their way inside. When Campbell saw the cops, he reportedly removed the toddler from the bath.
Police rescued the boy and paramedics quickly transported him to a nearby hospital. Officers also took Campbell to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Campbell reportedly violated a protective order set in 2021 after he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and domestic battery. A judge sentenced him to 36 months of probation following the plea.
The Chicago Tribune reports Campbell was not supposed to see or contact the victim, the child's mother, and other family members.
Cook County Jail records show Campbell is being held without bond.
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