Mom Who Tossed Baby Into River Diagnosed As Bipolar

Devi Silvia (WCBS 2)

Last month, a 33-year-old woman tossed her 19-month-old daughter into the cold Hudson River and then jumped in after her, in an apparent murder-suicide attempt. Now her lawyer is asking a judge to set Devi Silvia free and says she has been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Onlookers on a pier near West 70th Street spotted Silvia and the baby, Jessica, in the water. They called for help and NYPD and FDNY boats were nearby and the pair were rescued. However, the Manhattan DA's office said last month that Silvia's intentions were sinister—"she was sad and lonely and angry at her husband, and that she did this horrific act on purpose. She made clear that she threw her baby into the freezing river in order to get back at her husband"—and she was charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Silvia's husband had moved the family, which also includes a 6-year-old daughter, to California, Chicago and NY for his job.

Sivia's lawyer Seema Iyer said that Silvia would be released to her husband and stay in their apartment while they children were with relatives in India. Iyer also failed to stop photographers from taking pictures of Silvia, in hopes of containing press coverage as much as possible, nothing, "We are extremely concerned that while the children are in India, they will absolutely 100 percent find out what has occurred here," and adding that the 6-year-old had no idea her baby sister was thrown into river by their mother.

According to the Post, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lewis Stone "seemed amenable to setting Silvia free, telling the parties he thought Rikers Island seemed 'the least appropriate situation there is,' so long as she can get outpatient treatment for her newly diagnosed bi-polar disorder."

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By Jen Chung in News on June 22, 2010 10:40 AM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

Just another BS excuse.

Try this woman to the fullest extent of the law.

Tired of letting scumbags dodge responsibility for their actions.

Nyctini11

Normally i'd agree w/you but, unfortunately people w/this disorder, if not being treated, have almost zero control over their actions/thoughts when a "mood" sets in, i've experienced it first hand, and it's not pretty to say the least(very hard for someone without it to even comprehend this frame of thought), out patient treatment & meds is def a start in the right direction.

inoyourider

I've experienced it also and disagree.

People with this disorder, and others, still know right from wrong.

And if they truly don't then they should be hospitalized for the common good.

Personally I don't believe this diagnosis.

Lock this bitch up.

"Devi Silvia, the mother who threw her 19-month-old daughter into the Hudson River on Tuesday -- then jumped in behind her in a failed murder-suicide attempt -- told cops she was bent on revenge against her spouse, Manhattan prosecutors said this morning.

"She said she was sad and lonely and angry at her husband, and that she did this horrific act on purpose," assistant district attorney Robert Hettleman said in arguing successfully that the mother be held without bail.

"She made clear that she threw her baby into the freezing river in order to get back at her husband."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/evil_mom_threw_baby_prosecutor_hudson_PNtCnNe9laedyFSWQUZLrM?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=#ixzz0rc04In9U"

Nyctini11

Maybe you're right, maybe i'm wrong, the experiences i've had w/people while in a manic state have shown me, they have no way to control he anger/rage/psychosis they're experiencing. Yes they may know right from wrong but, can't seem to apply to their frame of thought at that time. Don't get me wrong, she should be kept away from that child, and def hospitalized, i just didn't agree with the sending her jail part if the mental illness is validated, if it's a sham, i'll buy her bus ticket to Rikers.

Tricksta

I hope she gets the help she needs and the forgiveness she deserves.

mistermarkdavis

I was diagnosed with BPD and I have thrown zero babies out of windows. none of the peoepl I knwo diagnosed with BPD have thrown babies out of windows. it's anecdotal, but still...

r1b2

While prison may not be the appropriate setting for her, I'm not so sure "setting her free" is the best course of action. Isn't a little quick to be suggesting outpatient? This loony needs observation, at the very least.