The mother of the woman pushed off a 15th-floor balcony in New York City said her daughter died protecting her 8-month-old, who she deeply loved and was safely cradled in her arms during the fall.
Nathaly Ramirez was holding her infant daughter when her ex-boyfriend, Angel Carrasco, shoved her and the child from her Bronx balcony, killing Nathaly Tuesday, October 6, according to authorities. Carrasco was reportedly the child’s father.
“She loved her baby so, so, so, so much. Before she had her daughter, she was already in love with her baby,” Nathaly’s mother said during a vigil for her daughter held outside of where she had lived on Saturday, October 10, according to the New York Daily News.
“She was just crazy over her baby. She loved her daughter,” her mother, also named Nathaly, continued.
Nathaly’s baby Novaly, “remains in critical but stable condition,” at a hospital, she said, the newspaper reported.
Nathaly, 23, begged Carrasco, 31, to stop before he pushed her and their daughter from the balcony on October 6, according to the U.S. Marshals Service, which arrested Carrasco on Thursday, October 8.
In a statement, U.S. Marshal Ricky J. Patel described Nathaly as a “brave mother who gave her life to save her child from a vicious individual.”
Carrasco was charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and assault, according to WABC-TV.
Following his arrest, he was seen with a massive grin on his face as he was led out of a police station on October 8, footage shared by the TV station showed.
Carrasco is accused of prior abuse against Nathaly, who investigators believe he reportedly tried to reconcile with before killing her.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had retained legal counsel.
Family members said Nathaly died at a hospital after using her body to protect her daughter from the 150-fall, according to the New York Daily News.
During her vigil, Nathaly’s friend Shakia Bennett told amNewYork that the gathering was important to raise awareness for domestic violence. Attendees held and released purple balloons, as purple is internationally recognized for domestic violence awareness.
“It means a lot. It’s a little overwhelming, because this was our friend,” Bennett said.
Nathaly was called “Michele” by her loved ones, WABC-TV reported.
One of Nathaly’s friends, Nathaly Minaya, created a GoFundMe to support Nathaly’s baby girl and her mother.
“Her unexpected passing has left her family, friends, church community, and everyone who knew her grieving a devastating loss,” reads the GoFundMe page. “Michelle was known for her joyful, energetic, caring, and loving spirit”
“Michelle also knew one of life’s greatest joys in becoming a mother, and her baby girl meant everything to her,” the page also said. “The love Michelle gave so deeply will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her most.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
