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Cops rescue baby from pond after dad admits to attempting to drown her

Police said Jonathon Zicarelli entered the Greenwood Police Department and told authorities that he’d killed his 6-month-old daughter by leaving her in a pond

By Rachel DeSantis
New York Daily News

GREENWOOD, Mo. — An infant girl was rescued by police officers in Missouri after her father made a startling confession that he’d tried to drown her in an icy pond after battling “bad thoughts.”

Jonathon Zicarelli, 28, entered the Greenwood Police Department Monday and told authorities that he’d killed his 6-month-old daughter by leaving her for dead in a nearby pond, Police Chief Greg Hallgrimson confirmed to the Daily News.

“There was no emotion whatsoever,” Lt. Aaron Fordham told the Kansas City Star of the young dad’s confession.

Charging documents reportedly show that Zicarelli had planned the act for more than 24 hours, and had visited the water three separate times in order to make sure he’d be able to complete the killing. His goal was allegedly to make life easier on his wife, as he’d been struggling to provide for his family as the holidays approached.

Immediately after Zicarelli’s confession, Hallgrimson and Cpl. Tom Calhoun sprung into action and headed for the pond, where they found the child unconscious and floating face up.

The tot’s lungs were reportedly filled with water, and she had mud in her eyes and grass and water in her mouth. The authorities estimate she was in the pond for more than 10 minutes.

Calhoun gave the child CPR until she was breathing again, Hallgrimson said, and paramedics took her to a local hospital.

She is reportedly being treated for severe hypothermia and is in stable condition.

Zicarelli was charged with first-degree domestic assault, according to the Star.

Copyright 2018 New York Daily News

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