Mom and baby daughter dead after boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty, captain arrested

A boat capsized off Lower Manhattan near Liberty Island shortly before 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday, killing a woman and her 5-month-old daughter and leaving 12 people needing rescue, according to police. The vessel was described as a 21-foot Yamaha. NYPD divers found Sara Sanchez of College Point, Queens, and infant Antonella Garcia in critical condition in the water, and they were rushed to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn but could not be saved. Sanchez’s partner and Antonella’s father survived. Officials said the trip may have involved an illegal charter operation. The captain, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment; his arraignment was pending in Brooklyn Criminal Court. A Coast Guard investigation is underway to determine the cause and legality of the charter.