ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A toddler is recovering at the University of Rochester Medical Center after being held by his father who jumped from the top a downtown parking garage.
Rochester police say shortly before midnight Friday they were called to the scene by the man's wife. She told police he was suffering from a psychotic breakdown.
Before officers or the PIC team arrived, the man had taken the 1 year old to the top of the South Avenue parking garage and jumped.
The man, who has only been identified as in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The child was rushed to the hospital. The toddler suffered several injuries but doctors don't beleive he'll have permanent brain damage. He could return to his home state to continue his recovery in the next couple weeks.
Police tell Spectrum News that the family is from out of the area and was visiting a sick relative.
Free resources are available for anyone who is struggling. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24-7 by calling 800-273-8255.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren released a statement after the incident at the South Avenue Parking garage:
This morning’s news pains me deeply and I know that pain is shared throughout our community. As Mayor, each loss our community experiences stays with me. They weigh on my soul. They also serve as a calling to me, and many others, to do the work that is necessary.
As a woman of faith, I thank God for the blessing and protection He has provided for this baby. I pray that God continues to watch over this child and I am grateful to the doctors and nurses that are working under great stress to keep him or her with us. May this child’s life become a calling that spreads hope and kindness throughout our city, our community and our world.
I also want to extend my gratitude and prayers to our first responders for their continued dedication and hard work in the face of great tragedy.
Lastly, while without an entire picture of what occurred, this tragedy makes it clear that we must redouble our efforts to improve mental health care and our response to crises within our city. Our progress in dealing with this challenge must continue without delay.
