Erin Merdy, a 34-year-old Brooklyn woman, has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for drowning her three young children at Coney Island in 2022. The children, aged three months, four years, and seven years, were found dead in the ocean near their home.
Prosecutors said Merdy had shown signs of postpartum depression and had a history of neglecting her children, including forcing her four-year-old son to relieve himself in a bowl during their stays at homeless shelters.
Merdy's ex-husband, Derrick, had been involved in a custody battle with her at the time of the incident and had reported that Merdy had told him she was thinking of letting their son live with him and giving up her rights.
Merdy was found barefoot and soaking wet near the scene of the crime, and video evidence showed her walking towards the ocean with the children just before 1am.
