Prosecutor: Burlco mom tried to kill three teens
A South Jersey woman has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill her three teenage children Tuesday night by driving into the Delaware River.
A Burlington County woman has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill her three teenage children Tuesday night by driving into the Delaware River.
Joann Smith, 49, of Florence Township, also faces three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Burlington County prosecutors said Smith was driving on West Front Street around 6:30 p.m. with her three children, ages 13, 14, and 15, when she turned onto a boat ramp and drove her van into the water.
An investigation allegedly revealed the van accelerated and headed directly into the river.
A passerby helped Smith and her children escape from the partially submerged vehicle and make it safely back to the shoreline, according to authorities.
No major injuries were reported, though one of the children suffered a cut leg.
Smith was checked into a medical facility for evaluation. She is being held on $600,000 bail.