Florence Mother Indicted for Driving Her Teens into the Delaware River

A Burlington County mom faces three-counts of first-degree Attempted Murder and other charges after allegedly attempting to drown three of her teenage children by driving into the Delaware River this Spring.

In an indictment handed up Tuesday, 50-year-old Joann Smith of Florence also faces three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a second-degree offense.

According to Burlington County Prosecutor's office, Smith was driving on West Front Street on April 15th in a van with her children ages 15, 14 and 13 inside. And at approximately 6:30 p.m. she drove onto a boat ramp and into the water.

"The investigation revealed that the van accelerated as it approached the river and headed directly into the water," according to a written statement.

The press release goes on to say that, "a man in the area helped Smith and her children escape the partially submerged vehicle and make it safely back to the shoreline. One of the children sustained cuts to the leg."

Smith, who's bail was set at $600,000 following her arrest, is undergoing evaluation at the Ann Klein Forensic Center in Ewing, New Jersey. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court.