One child sustained cuts to a leg after mother drove van into Delaware River, according to authorities.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
FLORENCE — County and local authorities have announced charges against a township woman accused of attempting to kill her three teenagers by driving into the Delaware River Tuesday night.
In a joint press release, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi and Florence Township Police Capt. Brian Boldizar said Joann Smith, 49, of the 2000 block of Burlington-Columbus Road, was charged with three counts of attempted Murder and three counts of endangering the welfare of children, after investigators said she drove onto a boat ramp off of West Front Street into the water at approximately 6:30 p.m.
In the vehicle when Ms. Smith accelerated her van directly into the water were here three children – ages 15,14 and 13 – authorities said.
A man in the area helped Ms. Smith and her children escape from the partially submerged vehicle and make it safely back to the shoreline, according to authorities.
One of the children sustained cuts to a leg, while Ms. Smith was checked into a medical facility for evaluation.
Her bail was set at $600,000, and she is expected to make her initial court appearance in Superior Court in Mount Holly next week as early as Monday, according to authorities.
The investigation is being conducted by detectives from the Florence Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

