A father killed his five-year-old daughter after throwing her off a bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida on Thursday morning.

Police said John Jonchuck Jr, 25, was driving a PT Cruiser that an officer followed after the vehicle was spotted speeding at 100 mph going to the Sunshine Skyway at the Dick Misnener Bridge.

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Once the cruiser reached the bridge top, police said the driver got out of the vehicle and started mumbling words. Jonchuck then headed for the vehicle's passenger side and pulled out the five-year-old girl.

He put his daughter's face on his chest then took her to the bridge where he threw her. The man returned to his car and left the bridge.  

The officer did not pursue the man and instead tried to rescue the little girl. Boats found the child more than a kilometer away about 90 minutes later. Phoebe Jonchuk was taken to hospital but she died before she could be treated.

Police said Jonchuck had legal custody of his daughter. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said he did not know what was going through the man's mind.

Manatee Sheriff's deputies managed to stop Jonchuk half an hour later. He was brought back to St. Petersburg and sent to the Pinellas County Jail.

On Thursday afternoon, Jonchuk appeared in court where he was asked if he could pay for a lawyer. Jonchuk replied, talking about God, saying he wanted to leave matter in the hands of God.

The judge told him he was certain God would not representing him in his case and he was going to stand trial. The same court officer had Jonchuk jailed without bail and he ordered a mental health assessment of the suspect.

TagsDad, John Jonchuck Jr, Sunshine Skyway, bridge murder, dad kills daughter, dad throws daughter off bridge