Woman Accused Of Throwing Child In Front Of Train Under Suicide Watch

A Burlington County woman police say tried to kill a 5-year-old girl by throwing her in front of an approaching train earlier this year was reportedly on suicide watch earlier this week. Autumn N. Matacchiera, 20, of Hainesport, is charged with first-degree attempted murder after she allegedly grab a young girl who was standing on the train platform next to her mother and throw her onto the tracks in front of an NJ Transit train.

She staged a hunger strike and tried to kill herself while she was in custody, according to nj.com. She is receiving psychiatric treatment, and her detention hearing has been postponed until June 27.

After Matacchiera threw the girl in front of the train, officers jumped in front of the train and signaled it to stop while the mother’s boyfriend rescued the girl. The girl was treated for bruises and a cut on her face.

Matacchiera was then taken into custody. She has a history of mental health issues, and told the Courier Post she was offering the child as a sacrifice in an attempt to win the love of an estranged relative. She didn't realize what she was doing was wrong, and now regrets the incident.

The attached image of Autumn N. Matacchiera was previously provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office