By Vera Chinese , Rocco Parascandola AND Tina Moore / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Monday, October 7, 2013, 2:00 PM
Neighbors called police after seeing Anna Thomas allegedly dangling her 19-month-old son, Justin, by his legs as she walked outside a window. Police speculate that Thomas, who penned a suicide letter, was planning to kill herself, but now faces murder and manslaughter charges in the death of her son.
A woman in Brooklyn was arrested in a murder-suicide plot in which she
allegedly planned to kill herself and her 19-month-old son, but only her
son died. She was booked on murder and manslaughter charges.
The mother of a baby boy who was found dead inside the family's
Brooklyn home wrote a ghastly suicide note but did not attempt to take
her own life, a police source said Monday.
“Justin is dead and so am I,” the mom wrote before cops arrived at the Ocean Ave. building where she and little 19-month-old Justin Stephens lived.
Anna Thomas, who was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter Monday, allegedly only finished half of her plan. Justin was dead, but the 20-year-old mother wasn’t.
Cops went to the home after getting a 911 call about an emotionally disturbed person at a window around 8 p.m. Sunday.
A knife was found at the scene, but neither Thomas or her little boy were stabbed or slashed, police sources said.
RELATED: MOTHER HELD AFTER 19-MONTH-OLD DIES IN BROOKLYN
Police believe the baby may have been suffocated, according to sources.
Cassandre Celus, 18, who lives on the building's second floor said her younger cousin spotted Thomas at the window — where she was dangling 19-month-old Justin.
“My little cousin saw her dangling the baby,” said Celus, a student studying French at St. John's. She said she could hear Thomas shouting for help.
“She said ‘Call 911, my baby my baby,’” said Celus.
“I thought the baby was falling and she was trying to catch it,” the young student said. “She was screaming.”
RELATED: SUV KILLS 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN QUEENS
Celus' brother called 911 and an ambulance soon arrived.
The baby looked to be in grave condition when it was wheeled out, Celus said.
Neighbors said the young mother worked in health care.
The building super, Burim Havolli, 29, said Thomas moved in about two years ago with her aunt, whose name is on the lease.
"She was the best of the best (tenant)," said Havolli. "I never had a problem with her."
RELATED: MOM OF THREE KIDS WHO DIED IN A FIRE GETS 18-YEAR SENTENCE
"She was always friendly. 'Hi, how are you doing.' I'd go pick up the rent, she would give me a drink," he said.
Another neighbor, who only identified himself as Michael, said he believes the child may have had a developmental disability.
"A single mother and a special needs child? I'm surprised you don't see this kind of thing more often," Michael said.
Other neighbors also felt the baby suffered developmental delays — but said the young family hadn’t appeared unhappy.
One fifth floor neighbor who declined to give her name said she saw Thomas, the child and a man she thought to be the child's father smiling together over the weekend.
“She seemed so happy, I just saw them Sunday. She was with her baby daddy,” the neighbor said.
“(Justin) looked just like the mom. He was a cutie pie. You could definitely tell that he was special needs,” the neighbor added.
“Justin is dead and so am I,” the mom wrote before cops arrived at the Ocean Ave. building where she and little 19-month-old Justin Stephens lived.
Anna Thomas, who was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter Monday, allegedly only finished half of her plan. Justin was dead, but the 20-year-old mother wasn’t.
Cops went to the home after getting a 911 call about an emotionally disturbed person at a window around 8 p.m. Sunday.
A knife was found at the scene, but neither Thomas or her little boy were stabbed or slashed, police sources said.
RELATED: MOTHER HELD AFTER 19-MONTH-OLD DIES IN BROOKLYN
Police believe the baby may have been suffocated, according to sources.
Cassandre Celus, 18, who lives on the building's second floor said her younger cousin spotted Thomas at the window — where she was dangling 19-month-old Justin.
“My little cousin saw her dangling the baby,” said Celus, a student studying French at St. John's. She said she could hear Thomas shouting for help.
“I thought the baby was falling and she was trying to catch it,” the young student said. “She was screaming.”
RELATED: SUV KILLS 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN QUEENS
Celus' brother called 911 and an ambulance soon arrived.
The baby looked to be in grave condition when it was wheeled out, Celus said.
Neighbors said the young mother worked in health care.
The building super, Burim Havolli, 29, said Thomas moved in about two years ago with her aunt, whose name is on the lease.
"She was the best of the best (tenant)," said Havolli. "I never had a problem with her."
RELATED: MOM OF THREE KIDS WHO DIED IN A FIRE GETS 18-YEAR SENTENCE
"She was always friendly. 'Hi, how are you doing.' I'd go pick up the rent, she would give me a drink," he said.
Another neighbor, who only identified himself as Michael, said he believes the child may have had a developmental disability.
"A single mother and a special needs child? I'm surprised you don't see this kind of thing more often," Michael said.
Other neighbors also felt the baby suffered developmental delays — but said the young family hadn’t appeared unhappy.
One fifth floor neighbor who declined to give her name said she saw Thomas, the child and a man she thought to be the child's father smiling together over the weekend.
“She seemed so happy, I just saw them Sunday. She was with her baby daddy,” the neighbor said.
“(Justin) looked just like the mom. He was a cutie pie. You could definitely tell that he was special needs,” the neighbor added.
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