Chicago Man Sentenced for Attempted Drowning of Son

Jeremiah Campbell pleaded guilty to attempted murder and received 12-year prison sentence.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered bathroom tile, water droplets, and a single child's rubber duck, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violence and trauma of a failed drowning attempt.A harsh, gritty image captures the aftermath of a harrowing attempted drowning, exposing the fragility of childhood and the need for greater community vigilance.Chicago Today

A 32-year-old Chicago man named Jeremiah Campbell has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to drown his 2-year-old son in a bathtub in 2023. The incident was reported by a concerned Lyft driver, and police were able to intervene and save the child before he drowned. Campbell was on probation for a previous domestic violence case at the time of the attempted drowning.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of child abuse and the need for vigilance in the community to report suspicious behavior. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in preventing repeat offenses, as Campbell was on probation for a prior domestic violence conviction when he allegedly tried to drown his son.

The details

According to court records, on August 25, 2023, a Lyft driver called the police after dropping off Campbell and his son, reporting that Campbell was talking about conspiracies and drowning his son as a sacrifice. At the same time, an anonymous 911 call was made from the same address, reporting that the 2-year-old had drowned in the bathtub. When police arrived, they were able to see Campbell bending over the bathtub through the window, and forced their way in, where they found Campbell removing the child from the water. The child was rushed to the hospital and survived the incident.

  • On August 25, 2023, a Lyft driver called the police about Campbell's concerning behavior.
  • Also on August 25, 2023, an anonymous 911 call was made reporting the child had drowned.
  • In March 2026, Campbell was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the attempted murder.

The players

Jeremiah Campbell

A 32-year-old South Shore, Chicago resident who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for trying to drown his 2-year-old son in a bathtub in 2023. He was on probation for a prior domestic violence conviction at the time of the incident.

Lyft Driver

An unnamed Lyft driver who called the police after dropping off Campbell and his son, reporting that Campbell was talking about conspiracies and drowning his son as a sacrifice.

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What they’re saying

“It was just awful. It was just awful.”

— Tonya, Witness

“The thought that ran through my head; I just saw my grandson. It was just awful.”

— Tonya, Witness

What’s next

The Illinois Department of Corrections will continue to monitor Campbell's incarceration, and he will be required to serve at least 85% of his 12-year sentence.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical importance of community vigilance and the need for the criminal justice system to better address repeat offenders and prevent escalating violence. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable children from abuse.