Police have arrested a Long Island man who they say threw his baby girl down a Mott Haven trash chute.

Angry residents gathered as 32-year-old Juan Rodriguez, of Mineola, was escorted out of a Bronx police precinct Wednesday. He faces a second-degree murder charge. A medical examiner determined 1-month-old Giovanna Marie Rodriguez was smothered and beaten to death before being dumped down the Mitchel Houses' trash chute. A janitor made the discovery on January 29 and the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say Rodriguez has numerous drug-related arrests in the Bronx. Residents are outraged, saying Rodriguez should never have been on the streets. The child's mother has not been charged.

Related Information