The operator of a boat that capsized by the Statue of Liberty over the weekend, killing a young mother and her baby girl, was moved to federal custody late Sunday, as the husband and father in the family reels from his stunning loss in the arms of his community.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, was at the helm of the 22-foot Bayline speedboat that flipped over around 10:25 p.m. Saturday near Liberty Island. He was taken into custody early Sunday on reckless endangerment charges, then moved to federal custody overnight.

The Southern District of New York is leading the investigation. As of Monday morning, the case had not yet been entered into online court records. Attorney information for Hernandez is unclear.

Authorities are looking into potential overcrowding issues on the boat, as well as into whether it may have been an illegal charter. According to the Coast Guard, an illegal charter is any passenger-for-hire vessel operation that lacks Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment and inspection certificates.

Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter Antonella Garcia, along with father and husband Andres Garcia, were among the 14 people flung into the water when the boat capsized. Only they lost their lives.

According to the New York Post, the group was out celebrating a surprise 41st birthday.

Andres Garcia (left), lost his wife and daughter in the speedboat capsizing. The Il Punto restaurant has helped create a crowdfunding account to support the family. (Image: NBC New York via @IlPuntoNYC)

A witness, Madeleine Montero, said she watched the rescue response unfold.

“I just came in and I saw a lot of ambulances, firefighters. And then I saw that there were boats here and then people were just speaking that there was a mother and a child that needed to be rescued from the water.”

Montero described seeing some of the rescued passengers being cared for.

“They had like white robes on,” she said. “And then they were immediately attended (to). Some of them were able to go to the ambulance… I was really worried. I was hoping they were okay,” said Montero.

Andres Garcia was one of the survivors. His community is embracing him after his loss.

He works at Il Punto restaurant, which is hosting a crowdfunding campaign to support the family.

(Image: NBC New York via FNTV)