'He's Out of His Mind,' Says Attorney for Dad Accused of Throwing Child From Bridge

When John Jonchuck showed up in Tampa family law attorney Genevieve Torres’ office Wednesday morning wearing pajamas, she knew something wasn’t right.

Jonchuck, 25, proceeded to ask her to read him a Bible written in Swedish, saying she was the “creator,” Torres told a 911 operator. He then went on to tell Torres she need not bother filing custody paperwork the two had previously discussed because it was “not going to matter anymore,” a sobbing Torres told the 911 operator in a call for help placed at 10:51 a.m. Wednesday.

That call was placed about 13 hours before off-duty St. Petersburg Police Officer William Vickers watched as Jonchuck’s 5-year-old daughter Phoebe was tossed over the side of the southbound approach to the Skyway Bridge.

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• Officer Tried to Stop Man Accused of Throwing Child Over Skyway
• Dad Accused of Throwing Daughter From Bridge Had Lengthy Criminal History

Phoebe, a kindergartner at Cleveland Elementary School in Tampa, ultimately died from the 62-foot plunge into chilly waters. Her father now stands charged in her death.

Phoebe was with Jonchuck when he paid Torres a visit Wednesday morning, the attorney said in her 911 call. It was the child’s safety she was concerned about, she indicated.

Jonchuck told Torres he wanted to leave the child with her and then said he didn’t, the 911 call indicated.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Torres told the dispatcher. “He’s out of his mind.”

Deputies did respond to Torres’ call and met up with Jonchuck at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Carrollwood, The Tampa Tribune reported. Deputies noted that Jonchuck responded to questions coherently and told deputies he and his daughter were happy, the paper reported.

Deputies ultimately concluded Jonchuck didn’t meet the requirements for the Baker Act, a mandatory 72-hour psychological evaluation hold.

Phoebe Jonchuck was pronounced dead at 2:44 a.m., according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

John Jonchuck has been booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is facing first-degree murder, aggravated fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle charges.

Photo of Phoebe Jonchuck from Facebook