The boyfriend of a mum who jumped off the top of a hotel in Times Square, New York said he "remembers punching" her before she jumped.
Tyler Griffen, 24, allegedly made the confession to the police after being arraigned on charges of assault, reckless endangerment and acting in a manner injurious to a child on Wednesday.
The man from Colorado had a violent fight with his girlfriend Dezirae Andersen, 20, at the OYO Times Square hotel on West 47th Street in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday night.
He allegedly punched the woman during an argument in a 10th-floor room before it spilled out into the hallway, and is also accused of yanking the victim's arm so forcefully that her eight-month-old baby tumbled down a flight of stairs, police said.
The baby was not hurt as she was caught by another hotel guest, reports the New York Post.
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Assistant District Attorney Madeline Holbrook said at the Manhattan Criminal Court that Griffen told police: "I remember punching my girlfriend."
She said: "The defendant punched this child's mother several times about the body.
"Additionally, the defendant allegedly tossed the infant child down a flight of steps into the hands of a stranger. For those reasons, the people believe that a full order of protection is necessary for the child's safety."
Following the couple's fight, Ms Andersen made her way to the roof and jumped off, landing on the second-floor scaffolding.
She was pronounced at the scene, the police said.
After her death, her mum Cheryl Valenzuela, launched a fundraiser for a funeral and memorial service for her "beautiful daughter".
She said: "She was only 20 years old and died after a physical altercation with her boyfriend in New York.
"I need to bring her body home to have a proper burial for her. She leaves behind an 8-month-old baby girl who also needs to be brought home to Colorado from New York and I need t get her asap.
"I am just at a loss and anything that anyone can contribute will be greatly appreciated."
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