Woman, Infant Die in New York Harbor Boat Capsizing

A 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old daughter died after a recreational boat capsized in New York Harbor on Saturday night, August 8, 2026, near Liberty Island. The boat's operator has been arrested and charged, and authorities are investigating whether the vessel was being used as an illegal charter.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:25 p.m. when a 22-foot boat overturned in the waters near the Statue of Liberty. The vessel was carrying 14 people at the time. A nearby Good Samaritan vessel, identified as the Sea the City II, rescued 12 people from the water before emergency responders arrived. Those survivors were transported to area hospitals and reported to be in stable condition.

New York Police Department divers later located the woman and the infant submerged in the water. Both were airlifted to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn in critical condition and were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The victims were identified as Sara Sanchez, 27, and her daughter, Antonella Garcia, both of College Point, Queens. Sources indicated that Sanchez's boyfriend, who is Garcia's father, was also aboard the boat.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, of Manhattan, was arrested around 2:30...