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CHICAGO (WGN) – In a chilling case from South Shore, a 32-year-old man, Jeremiah Campbell, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to drown his son in a bathtub. This tragic event was halted due to the quick thinking of a vigilant Lyft driver.
The court records indicate that Campbell admitted to the charge of attempted murder. In March, he received a 12-year sentence from the Illinois Department of Corrections. He has already been credited with 942 days of time served. Legally, he is required to serve a minimum of 85 percent of the imposed sentence.
Prosecutors revealed in court documents that the incident was averted thanks to the Lyft driver who, on August 25, 2023, immediately contacted the police after dropping off Campbell and his young son at the 7700 block of S. South Shore Drive. The driver reported being alarmed by Campbell’s disturbing comments during the ride.
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According to the Chicago Police Department’s arrest report, the driver informed authorities that Campbell was speaking about conspiracies and had intentions of sacrificing his son by drowning him as an offering to Jehovah.
It was around the same time that 911 call was made, that an arrest report shows an anonymous call was made from someone at that same address, who said his two-year-old son drowned in the tub.
A CPD arrest report showed officers arrived on scene and knocked twice, but nobody answered. They were able to look inside the window and saw a man bending over the bathtub, making suspicious movements.
Based on information CPD received from dispatch, provided by both the Lyft driver and the anonymous caller, court documents show the officers had enough information to believe they were witnessing a possible drowning, and forced their way inside.
Campbell heard the commotion and removed the child from the bathtub, according to the arrest report. Coughs could be heard coming from the toddler as Campbell pulled him out.
According to police, a responding officer grabbed the child and handed him off to paramedics, who rushed him to the hospital.
Days after the incident, WGN-TV spoke with neighbors and witnesses who saw the aftermath.
“It was just awful. It was just awful,” said Tonya, who was visiting a family member the night of the incident. She recalls what she describes as piercing screams, as she was alerted to the commotion.
“They brought the child out and he was just drenched and coughing,” said Tonya. “The thought that ran through my head; I just saw my grandson. It was just awful.”
At the time of the attempted drowning, Campbell was on probation in a 2021 domestic violence case, court records show. He was sentenced to 36 months’ probation in Nov. 2021 after pleading guilty to aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and domestic battery resulting in bodily harm.
Records from the IDOC show Campbell is currently incarcerated at the Stateville Correctional Center.