Captain charged after boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty, killing mother and infant

A boat capsized in New York Harbor near Liberty Island on Saturday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of a 27-year-old woman and a 5-month-old baby girl. The vessel, a 22-foot speedboat carrying 14 people, overturned around 10:30 p.m. near the Statue of Liberty. Twelve other individuals on board were rescued from the water, with some receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Authorities identified the deceased as Sara Sanchez and Antonella Garcia. The boat's operator, 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez, was arrested on 13 counts of reckless endangerment.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the New York Police Department are actively investigating the incident, including whether the boat was operating as an illegal charter. The exact cause of the capsizing remains under investigation.