NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- The family of a woman who police said pushed another into an oncoming train in Times Square said Wednesday that their loved one needs help.
Anthonia Egegbara, 29 of Queens, is facing attempted murder charges for the incident, which was caught on video Monday morning.
Egegbara is seen sitting at a bench before rushing toward the victim and shoving her, according to police. The victim was hit by the train and fell back onto the platform.
The 42-year-old victim, Lenny Javier, suffered serious injuries to her face and legs.
"My face is swollen, I have a broken nose, a fractured chin," Javier told CBS2.
Egegbara's family said she suffers from schizophrenia, and has been hospitalized dozens of times. The family said they're distraught over the whole situation.
"We all cried when we saw that video. The whole family is distressed and upset about this," Dedria Gregg, her mother, said in an interview with CBS2. "I feel so sorry for the woman that got pushed in the subway. I am so sorry."
The family said Egegbara is fine when taking her medication, but have struggled to make her keep up the habit, according to the report. They said she has spent years in homeless shelters.
Egegbara's sister Nancy told CBS2 that her sister is in need of the kind of treatment that can't be found in a jail.
"My sister has been failed by the system that's supposed to help her ... she really needs an institution, a place that can keep her safe and away from violence or violent behaviors," Nancy Egegbara said. "I'm not condoning. What she did was wrong, but what she did stems from her mental illness."
The family said Egegbara would have a psych evaluation Wednesday, but her defense attorney didn't request one.
Egegbara's bail has been set at $100,000 and she will appear in court again on Friday.
