Chicago man sentenced to 12 years for attempted drowning of son

Jeremiah Campbell pleaded guilty to attempted murder after a Lyft driver alerted police to his disturbing comments during a ride.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:37am

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An extreme close-up of a wet, cracked bathroom tile with a single drop of water reflecting a faint light, conveying the somber, investigative mood of a crime scene without depicting any graphic violence.A harsh, gritty photograph captures the aftermath of a violent crime against a child, underscoring the need for greater community vigilance and mental health support.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 who heard Campbell making disturbing comments about drowning his son as a sacrifice. Police were able to intervene and save the child, who was rushed to the hospital.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of vigilant community members and the role they can play in preventing tragic incidents of child abuse and violence. It also raises questions about mental health resources and support systems for parents struggling with severe mental health issues.

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 had been talking about conspiracies and drowning his son as a sacrifice to Jehovah. Around the same time, an anonymous caller reported that a 2-year-old had drowned in the bathtub at that address. When police arrived, they were able to see through the window that Campbell was making suspicious movements over the bathtub. They forced entry and found Campbell removing the child from the water, with the child coughing as Campbell pulled him out. The child was rushed to the hospital and survived the attempted drowning.

  • On August 25, 2023, a Lyft driver called the police after dropping off Campbell and his son.
  • 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 man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for trying to drown his 2-year-old son in a bathtub in 2023.

Lyft driver

The driver who called the police after hearing Campbell make disturbing comments about drowning his son during the ride.

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What they’re saying

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

— Tonya, Neighbor who witnessed the aftermath

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

— Tonya, Neighbor who witnessed the aftermath

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jeremiah Campbell out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of community vigilance and the need for better mental health resources and support systems for parents to prevent tragic incidents of child abuse. It also raises questions about bail reform and public safety concerns in Chicago.