The ex-boyfriend accused of pushing a young mother to her death off a Bronx building balcony as she desperately held her baby, saving the infant’s life, pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Angel Carrasco, 31, appeared virtually before a Bronx judge from from a hospital bed in a psychiatric ward where he is being evaluated following the push-and-fall death last week of Nathaly Ramirez, 23, who was clutching her 8-month-old daughter to her when she was shoved off a 15th-floor balcony.
Just moments earlier, a neighbor heard Ramirez pleading for her life right before the young mother slammed onto the cold grass behind the building where she lived on Olinville Ave. near Allerton Ave. early on the morning of Oct. 6.
The child miraculously survived the 150-foot fall and is recovering in the hospital. When first responders arrived, the mortally injured Ramirez was still holding her baby in her arms, witnesses said.
A criminal complaint filed in court said Carrasco “released” Ramirez and the infant over the side of the balcony, sending them hurtling to the ground below.
Meanwhile, the baby has been granted a full order of protection. Carrasco is not allowed to contact her or any third parties related to her in any way, Bronx Supreme Court Judge Cary Fischer said Wednesday.
Fischer remanded Carrasco to jail without bail. His next court appearance is Nov. 4.
For his safety in detention, Carrasco was granted protective custody after a request from his lawyer.
Ramirez’ family and friends said she loved and protected her daughter right to the very end.
“Even in the midst of her tragedy, she was still thinking about her daughter, you understand?” Ramirez’ grandmother told a crowd of supporters at a vigil last week. “And that is incredible.”