SEAN CARLIN
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A baby born to a woman after she was fatally wounded by a stray bullet died early Monday.
Megan Doto, who was eight months pregnant, was struck in the face Sunday morning by one of more than 10 bullets fired at a car a block away, police Capt. James Clark said.
Doto, a 25-year-old mother of two other children, was pronounced dead early Sunday afternoon after being rushed to Temple University Hospital, where doctors were able to deliver the baby by emergency C-section, authorities said. The infant died just over 12 hours later, police said.
Doto was babysitting her neighbor’s children and sitting in front of the neighbor’s house when she was struck, residents said.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey expressed outrage at the shooting.
“They’re just evil thugs and they will do whatever, whenever they can,” Ramsey told KYW-AM of the people committing the violence in what police described as a known drug area.
Police were canvassing the area Monday, and looking for information on the gunman and the car. Stuffed animals, flowers and pictures were placed nearby.
“She is a totally innocent victim,” Clark said. “She was out there with a young friend and one of bullets from the top of the block comes all the way down and strikes her one time in the face.”
Christopher D’Agostino, 32, said he was sitting next to her when they heard a car speeding down the street.
“All the sudden, we hear an engine revving up,” D’Agostino said. “Next thing I know, she’s laying on the ground face first.”
Doto had indicated on her Facebook page she was expecting a boy, but police said the newborn was a girl.
The city was offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
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