Insane NJ woman who threw child in front of train 'not guilty'

MOUNT HOLLY — A Burlington County woman who threw a 5-year-old girl in front of an approaching train in what she described as an attempted sacrifice has been found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity.

A judge made the ruling Wednesday after reviewing reports from two doctors who examined 20-year-old Autumn Matacchiera. The Hainesport woman will be committed to a psychiatric facility.

Authorities say the woman grabbed the girl at random in January and threw her on the tracks at a light-rail platform in Burlington City. Police jumped onto the tracks to signal the train to stop. The girl was rescued by her mother's boyfriend but suffered a cut and some bruising.

Matacchiera said she believed she needed to make a sacrifice to win the love of an estranged relative.

Under state law, a person found not guilty by reason of insanity can be released with or without supervision, depending on a psychiatric evaluation. If an evaluation finds the person to be a danger to themselves or others, a judge may order the person to remain in a psychiatric facility for at least as long as if they had been sentenced to prison if they had been found guilty.

NJ woman who threw child in front of train ‘not guilty’ under insanity defense