Monster ‘Pushed’ Mom and Baby From 15th-Floor Balcony

The man accused of pushing the mother of his infant daughter from a 15th-floor Bronx balcony while she desperately held onto their baby smiled as police led him away in shackles Thursday.

Angel Carrasco, 31, was taken into custody following an intense manhunt after authorities accused him of killing 23-year-old Nathaly Ramirez and seriously injuring their 8-month-old daughter.

As detectives escorted Carrasco from an NYPD precinct, angry bystanders could be heard shouting at him while he appeared to smile toward the crowd.

Carrasco has been charged with murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the horrifying early-morning incident.

Police were called to 2550 Olinville Avenue in the Bronx shortly before 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, after Ramirez and her daughter were found outside the apartment building with injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height.

Investigators later determined that the mother and child had allegedly been pushed from a 15th-floor balcony.

Ramirez was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved.

Her baby daughter survived the extraordinary fall and remained hospitalized at Jacobi Medical Center. Authorities have said the child’s condition stabilized after she initially suffered critical injuries.

Investigators believe Ramirez may have cushioned her daughter’s impact as the two fell, potentially saving the infant’s life.

Carrasco, Ramirez’s ex-boyfriend and the baby’s father, allegedly fled the building after the fall, setting off a search involving the NYPD and U.S. Marshals Service.

He was captured Wednesday night in the Bronx.

The U.S. Marshals Service said its New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force joined the investigation after authorities began searching for Carrasco.

“This horrific tragedy weighs heavily on every team member who worked this case,” U.S. Marshal Ricky J. Patel said after the arrest.

Patel said authorities believed Ramirez gave her life trying to protect her child and said Carrasco would now have to answer for the allegations against him.

The tragedy allegedly came after a troubled relationship that had already brought police to Ramirez’s home.

Law enforcement sources said Carrasco had previously been arrested in connection with domestic violence incidents involving Ramirez.

In January, he was accused of slapping Ramirez during an argument after she objected to him communicating with another woman.

Just days later, Carrasco allegedly forced his way into Ramirez’s apartment, leading to another arrest.

He had also previously been accused of sending threatening messages to another former girlfriend, according to reports.

Sources said Carrasco showed up at Ramirez’s apartment before Tuesday’s deadly encounter carrying flowers and apparently hoping to reconcile with her.

After that apparent attempt failed, investigators allege the encounter turned violent.

Residents of the Bronx apartment building described hearing screaming and desperate pleas shortly before Ramirez and her daughter fell.

One neighbor recalled hearing a woman pleading with someone and expressing fear for her baby.

Moments later, residents heard a loud impact outside the building.

The account is consistent with investigators’ belief that Ramirez was still holding her daughter when the pair went over the balcony.

A memorial of flowers, candles and photographs quickly appeared outside the building as friends, former classmates and neighbors mourned Ramirez.

Those who knew the young mother described her as friendly, ambitious and devoted to her daughter.

Ramirez graduated from Bronx Leadership Academy High School and later attended Baruch College.

She also worked for Lishawn Consulting in Manhattan, where she was remembered as a hardworking employee with a promising future.

Her death has also renewed attention on domestic violence and the danger victims can face when trying to separate from an abusive partner.

The case now moves into the criminal court system, where prosecutors will be required to prove the allegations against Carrasco beyond a reasonable doubt.

Carrasco is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.