January 29, 2017
City of Burlington Police Department/for PhillyVoice
Autumn Matacchiera, 20, of Hainesport.
A woman was arrested after she allegedly threw a 5-year-old girl in the path of an approaching train in New Jersey, authorities said.
The City of Burlington Police Department announced Saturday that 20-year-old Autumn Matacchiera, of Hainesport, was charged with attempted murder.
The incident occurred Friday around 8:30 p.m. on the platform of the NJ Transit Light Rail's Burlington Town Station located near the intersection of West Broad and High Streets.
Police said a bus driver observed suspicious activity and gave a description of Matacchiera to an officer, who issued an alert. Responding officers located Matacchiera on the platform ramp. As officers approched, she snatched the unsuspecting 5-year-old girl who was standing next to her mother. Matacchiera threw the child onto the railroad tracks as a train was arriving at the station.
Officers jumped in front of the train and signaled the operator to stop as the child was rescued by the mother's boyfriend. The victim was transported to Memorial Hospital where she was treated for a facial laceration and bruising. She was later released.
Officers quickly subdued Matacchiera and sent her to Lourdes Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
Investigators said Matacchiera, who is still in police custody, did not know the victim or her family.
