In a heart-wrenching incident on Chicago’s South Side, a 31-year-old woman, identified as Surah Amon, has been charged with first-degree murder following the alleged drowning of her 1-year-old son in Lake Michigan. The incident occurred on Friday, July 18, 2025, near South Shore Beach in the 7000 block of South South Shore Drive.
Chicago police responded to a service call around 9:45 p.m. after reports of a woman in distress in the water. Upon arrival, officers found Amon in Lake Michigan, screaming that she had killed her son, according to a police report. The Chicago Fire Department’s Marine Unit recovered the body of the 1-year-old boy, who was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital. Despite efforts to revive him, including chest compressions performed by first responders, the child was pronounced dead at the hospital. The boy’s identity has not been publicly released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Amon was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, including cuts on her wrists, and for a mental health evaluation. According to the police report, Amon disclosed to officers that she had been kicked out of her home by her son’s father, which led to her decision to take her own life and that of her child. She reportedly expressed regret, stating that she did not realize how difficult it would be to drown, and made statements urging officers to kill or shoot her.
The Chicago Police Department has classified the boy’s death as a homicide, and Area One detectives are continuing their investigation. Amon faces two felony counts of murder, including first-degree murder and murder with a strong probability of death or injury. She remains in custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025.
The incident has sparked community calls for increased mental health support, with local advocates emphasizing the need for accessible resources to prevent such tragedies. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact CPD Area One detectives or call 911.