SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An apparently mentally ill woman seen dropping her children into the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay was arrested while pushing an empty stroller away from the scene and jailed on three counts of murder Thursday. Lashaun T. Harris, 23, of Oakland, was arrested Wednesday night after a witness saw her drop her children from the 10-foot pier. She was jailed on suspicion of three counts of murder and three counts of assault on a child with great bodily injury, according to police spokeswoman Maria Oropeza. 1/8
"There are no words to describe how much this saddens me," said Police Chief Heather Fong.
An intense search involving police, fire and U.S. Coast Guard vessels and helicopters with searchlights began quickly after the witness called 911. The body of Taronta Greely, Jr., 2, was recovered late Wednesday near the St. Francis Yacht Club, about two miles from the pier.
The other two children—Trayshaun Greely, 6 and Joshua Greely, 16 months—remained missing Thursday.
Harris, who had been living with her children in a Salvation Army Shelter in Oakland, has no prior criminal record in San Francisco, Fong said.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday that she told authorities that voices had told her to throw her children into the water.
Her family reportedly said she had a history of mental illness.
Asia Powell, who identified herself as Harris' cousin, said Harris was taking medication for a mental illness. "I know that she would never hurt her kids," she told KPIX-TV. "I know that."
Police said the father of the children has been helpful.
It was not immediately known whether she had an attorney.
"I just talked to her yesterday," Mary Ann Ramirez, the shelter's social services manager, told the newspaper Wednesday. "We had our usual, 'How are you doing, how's the kids.' I would never have guessed in a million years that today she would do that."
The pier extends into the bay from the Embarcadero, an area that draws tourists to the historic Ferry Building within view of Coit Tower and the landmark Transamerica pyramid. It's about a mile from Fishermen's Wharf.
Mayor Gavin Newsom, without specifically talking about why a mother might do such a thing, reminded parents that resources are available to help if they become frustrated with their children.
"All of us are in in shock," Newsom said. "This is a senseless and unexplainable act that goes beyond the pale. Frankly, it makes you sick to your stomach."
