A three-year-old boy has died after being allegedly pushed into Lake Michigan by his aunt.
Victoria Moreno, 34, had allegedly taken her nephew Josiah Brown away from his grandmother's home in Des Plaines, Illinois, in the US, on September 18 after his mum dropped him off.
The pair were at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan the next day, September 19, when aunt Victoria is accused of pushing the toddler into the water - after looking to see if anyone was around.
She then allegedly watched him drown as police said the aunt looked on whilst the young boy was vomiting multiple times and sank.
As he drowned, it was too late for witnesses to help as Victoria allegedly refused to help.
When questioned by authorities the aunt allegedly claimed she did not know the child.
However, she later said he was "acting up" and fell in the lake after she let go off his shirt.
The young boy was found by Chicago Fire Department after falling more than 6.5ft and was quickly transferred to Lurie Children's Hospital - where he has spent the last week in critical condition.
According to prosecutors the boy died from a bleed in his lungs, a swollen brain and seizures - he also required a heart transplant.
He was sadly shortly pronounced dead after 10am on Sunday September 27.
Victoria has been charged with attempted murder - with bail denied.
However, her changes could increase and be upgraded following the announcement of the toddler's death on Sunday evening.
Victoria appeared on Wednesday before Judge Susana Ortiz at Cook County where she described the aunt's alleged actions as “intentionally brutal and heinous and an act indicative of wanton cruelty”.
The judge also said she let the toddler “suffer and struggle and provided no assistance whatsoever”.
Eye-witnesses have claimed they heard a noise as the boy fell nearly 7ft after he hit the water and was left there for more than half an hour.
The lawyer representing Victoria claims she suffers from mental health issues and takes medicine for those issues.
She is scheduled to appear in court on September 30 and has been ordered not to contact her family as the investigation continues.
