Father kills 11-month-old son by throwing him into river from bridge and casually walks to nearby bar for a drink
A father has been arrested after he threw his infant son off a bridge into the river in his Moses basket before then casually walking to a nearby pub for a drink.
The 22-year-old man, identified as Zak Eko Benett and believed to be the father of the 11-month-old child, was seen by witnesses throwing the baby boy off the bridge at Blackburn Street in Radcliffe, Bury, into River Irwell at around 4.30 pm on September 11, according to The Sun.
Paramedics who responded to the scene desperately battled to save the infant after pulling him from the water, around 100 yards from the bridge, before taking him to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
"It was a very small child in the river, I thought it was a doll when I saw it," one witness said. "I thought someone was on the run." After committing the heinous act, Benett walked into the nearby Lock Keeper pub and ordered a drink, according to Manchester Evening News.
"He asked 'could he sit in the corner' but he had no money," revealed a barmaid. "The staff said that was totally fine as people do that, and then loads of people came in saying 'oh my god there's a baby in the river'."
"Everyone was up barring him, he sat there and stared and didn't move," she continued. "The police were phoned to say 'we think we have who you're looking for'." The Greater Manchester police subsequently arrived at the pub and arrested Bennett.
Several floral tributes were left on the bridge following the tragic death, with one reading, "RIP little man. Hope you find happiness with your angel wings." A candlelight vigil has also been planned at the scene on September 12.
The infant's mother, Emma Blood, who described him as "my world, my heart, my soul," took to Facebook to describe her heartbreak after his death.
"I lost my baby today," she wrote. "I love my little boy and did everything for him. I didn't know my child was dead until I got to A&E. We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him and then I left."
"Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more. I am alive, although I wish I was dead," she added. Benett was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody for questioning, with police saying that they are treating the investigation as a domestic issue.
Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels of the Greater Manchester Police said, "This is an incredibly tragic incident that has led to an innocent baby boy losing his life. We are doing everything we can to support his family at this unimaginably devastating time."
"I know his loss will be felt by the entire community and our thoughts are very much with his loved ones this evening. A murder investigation is underway and we are working hard to piece together the circumstances that led to the baby boy ending up in the water." Police have asked witnesses to come forward to assist in their investigation.