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Child Welfare

Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say
Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say A former Galloway Township gymnastics coach was accused of sexually assaulting a girl under 16 years old, authorities said. The Galloway Township Police Department announced the arrest of 51-year-old Matthew Shriver in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Brigantine man was a co-owner of Everest Gymnastics and Tumbling Center in Galloway Township. The investigation began after officers received a report regarding the abuse accusations. Police said they obtained cell phone evidence that corroborated the victim’s statements.  This evidence led to search warrants for Shriver’s phone, perso…
NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say
NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts academy admitted to molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger of Neptune City, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 18, to endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Investigators said Bollinger, 57, engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student. The incidents happened in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park between February and August 2019. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, part of Ocean County Vocational Tech…
NJ Mom Believed Killed By Husband Survived By 4 Daughters, Campaign Says NJ Mom Believed Killed By Husband Survived By 4 Daughters, Campaign Says
NJ Mom Believed Killed By Husband Survived By 4 Daughters, Campaign Says Support is on the rise for four girls mourning the loss of their 40-year-old mother, who authorities said was stabbed dead by her husband this weekend in New Jersey. A GoFundMe campaign launched for Rosana Rodriguez's daughters had raised more than $10,000 as of Sunday, Sept. 22, more than 24 hours after she was found lying on the kitchen floor of a Perth Amboy home with stab wounds next to her husband, Wellington Leonard, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Officers were called to the Bertrand Avenue home around 3 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ci…
New Brunswick Pastor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Juvenile, Prosecutor Says New Brunswick Pastor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Juvenile, Prosecutor Says
New Brunswick Pastor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Juvenile, Prosecutor Says A 61-year-old pastor has been charged with sexually assaulting a juvenile in Middlesex County, authorities said. Roby D. Cruz-Hernandez, a pastor at Iglesia Pentecostal El Mesias in New Brunswick, was arrested without incident at his home in Somerset, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and New Brunswick Police Chief Vincent Sabo said. Cruz-Hernandez was charged with second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Castro of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 732-7…
New Brunswick Camp Employee Sexually Assaulted Minor Multiple Times, Police Say New Brunswick Camp Employee Sexually Assaulted Minor Multiple Times, Police Say
New Brunswick Camp Employee Sexually Assaulted Minor Multiple Times, Police Say A 26-year-old New Brunswick summer camp worker is accused of having sexual contact with a minor, authorities said. Dwany Cruz, who works as a recreation assistant of an undisclosed summer camp, had sexual contact with a child on multiple occasions, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and New Brunswick Police Chief Vincent Sabo said. Cruz surrendered to New Brunswick police on Aug. 15, and was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, police said. The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Leyva, of th…
NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say
NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts high school was accused of molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger, 56, of Neptune City, was charged on Monday, Aug. 12 with two counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy at Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS). The academy had 240 students as of September 2023 and offers high schoolers opportunities to take dual-credit co…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County youth soccer coach accused of molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to others was given more charges, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 32-year-old Ryan Gunsauls of Union Beach on 30 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was previously arrested in the case in Hazlet on Friday, May 11.  Investigators said one boy told police earlier in May that Gunsauls had been sending him "sexually explicit materials" and asking for them on social media. Eight more victims bet…
Convenience Store Clerk Sold Vaping Products To Jersey Shore Kids, Police Say Convenience Store Clerk Sold Vaping Products To Jersey Shore Kids, Police Say
Convenience Store Clerk Sold Vaping Products To Jersey Shore Kids, Police Say An Atlantic Highlands convenience store clerk was accused of selling vaping products to children, authorities said. Fnu Rachna, 60, was charged with sale of flavored vaping products, the Atlantic Highlands Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Officers received reports from parents over several months about vaping products sold to children at TNC Mini-Mart Convenience Store on First Avenue. An officer investigating the store saw Rachna sell a vaping product to a child on Wednesday, July 24. "We would like to thank the parents of this great community who have com…
Teenager Killed Trenton Dad Who Tried Saving Kids During Carjacking: Prosecutor Teenager Killed Trenton Dad Who Tried Saving Kids During Carjacking: Prosecutor
Teenager Killed Trenton Dad Who Tried Saving Kids During Carjacking: Prosecutor A 17-year-old boy from Mercer County has been arrested in connection with a carjacking that led to a fatal shooting, authorities said. The juvenile, from Lawrence, is charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree carjacking, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and weapons offenses, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. He was arrested on Monday, July 29 without incident in Trenton by members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task F…
Child Sexually Abused By Central Jersey Man In Bergenfield Repeatedly, Prosecutor Says Child Sexually Abused By Central Jersey Man In Bergenfield Repeatedly, Prosecutor Says
Child Sexually Abused By Central Jersey Man In Bergenfield Repeatedly, Prosecutor Says A 20-year-old Middlesex County man was arrested and charged on Wednesday, July 17, with sexually assaulting a child in Bergenfield, authorities said. In May, Bergenfield police and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office began investigating the sexual assault of a juvenile under the age of 16 and determined Richard Simko had assaulted them on multiple occasions, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Simko was arrested in Woodbridge and charged with five counts of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.  He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a court …
South Jersey Man, 58, Gets Prison For Sexually Assaulting 5 Girls Under Age Of 13: Prosecutor South Jersey Man, 58, Gets Prison For Sexually Assaulting 5 Girls Under Age Of 13: Prosecutor
South Jersey Man, 58, Gets Prison For Sexually Assaulting 5 Girls Under Age Of 13: Prosecutor A 58-year-old man from Vineland was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for sexually assaulting five girls under the age of 13 over a 10-year period, authorities said. Jesus Figueroa was sentenced on Friday, June 28, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. Figueroa must serve a minimum of 85% of the 10 years before being considered eligible for parole, she said. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and be subject to parole supervision for life. On Sept. 8, 2022, Figueroa, was charged w…
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says A special education teacher in Monmouth County was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson Township, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced her arrest in a news release on Saturday, June 29.  Prosecutors said Havemann-Niedrach is a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School and according to her LinkedIn profile, she teaches special education in the borough's district. He…
Man Sent Child Porn To Undercover Central Jersey Detective, Prosecutors Say Man Sent Child Porn To Undercover Central Jersey Detective, Prosecutors Say
Man Sent Child Porn To Undercover Central Jersey Detective, Prosecutors Say A Passaic man was accused of sending child pornography to an undercover Monmouth County investigator through a social media app, authorities said. Joseph Velazquez, 25, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child (distribution of child sexual abuse materials) and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child sexual abuse materials). Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the charges in a news release on Friday, June 21. An undercover detective from the county prosecutor's office was monitoring a group chat on the messenger app…
Mom Killed By Ex-Boyfriend In 'Horrifying' South Jersey Machete Attack Identified Mom Killed By Ex-Boyfriend In 'Horrifying' South Jersey Machete Attack Identified
Mom Killed By Ex-Boyfriend In 'Horrifying' South Jersey Machete Attack Identified The identity of a Wall Township woman was confirmed after authorities said her ex-boyfriend killed her with a machete. A spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office identified 29-year-old Brianna Greenwood as the victim of the attack on Thursday, May 23. Alex Williams, 24, of Wall Township, was accused of killing her at the Glen Oaks apartments. Wall police responded to the complex's parking lot at around 9:22 a.m. and found Greenwood suffering from several serious injuries. She was rushed to a hospital and died a week later on Thursday, May 30. A GoFu…
Jersey Shore Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors Jersey Shore Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors
Jersey Shore Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors A Cape May County mother was facing charges in the death of her six-month-old son, authorities said. Michelle Stanton, 29, of Lower Township, was charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced her charges in a news release on Friday, May 10. Lower Township police found Stanton's son Christian Carty unconscious at her home on Wilde Avenue in the Villas section of the township on Sunday, June 25, 2023. The baby boy was rushed to Cape Regional Medical Center and he was pronounced d…
South Jersey Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old South Jersey Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old
South Jersey Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old A Cape May County corrections officer was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl younger than 13 years old, authorities said. A jury found 34-year-old Jonathan Perez guilty on four charges on Friday, Apr. 12, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. He was charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a minor, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The trial began on Monday, Mar. 18, more than a year after he was arrested. The girl reported the abuse "over an extended period of time" to st…
NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors
NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors A Mercer County high school English teacher was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Jessica Sawicki, 37, of Point Pleasant, was arrested for "having a sexual relationship" with a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 9.  She was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation into the Hamilton High School West teacher began in early 2024. Investigators said Sawicki "engaged in s…
Dad Charged With Murder In 9-Year-Old Son's Death Is Employed By Sayreville Schools: Officials Dad Charged With Murder In 9-Year-Old Son's Death Is Employed By Sayreville Schools: Officials
Manuel Rivera Sayreville Arrest Charges have been upgraded for a New Jersey dad whose deceased 9-year-old son was found in a burning vehicle, authorities said. Manuel Rivera has been charged with second-degree aggravated arson, first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree desecration of human remains, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. According to Sayreville Schools Superintendent Richard Labbe, 43-year-old Rivera was employed by the district, and his son was a student at the Wilson School. The charges were filed in connection with an incident Thursday…
NJ Rapist Who Impregnated Girl Under 13 Years Old Sentenced NJ Rapist Who Impregnated Girl Under 13 Years Old Sentenced
NJ Rapist Who Impregnated Girl Under 13 Years Old Sentenced A Millville man was sentenced to 40 years in New Jersey State Prison for sexual assault after impregnating a girl under 13 years old, authorities said. Justin Kuhl, 32, was arrested in September 2020 for assaulting the minor, resulting in her pregnancy, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. Kuhl was later found guilty of two counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault and two counts and Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and sentenced on Wednesday, March 27. The investigation was conducted by members of the New Jersey St…
Online Gamer From NJ Urged Teen To Have Sexual Relationship With Relatives, Meet At Park: Cops Online Gamer From NJ Urged Teen To Have Sexual Relationship With Relatives, Meet At Park: Cops
Online Gamer From NJ Urged Teen To Have Sexual Relationship With Relatives, Meet At Park: Cops A Gloucester County man was accused of having sexually explicit conversations online with a teen who he asked to meet at a park near his home, authorities said. Jeremy Slickerman, 33, of West Deptford, was arrested at his home on Friday, March 15, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 19. Slickerman was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation began earlier in March after a referral from Middletown police to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Investigators said he inappropriately chatted with the 14-y…
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor A New Jersey bus monitor has been arrested following the death of a 6-year-old girl who died during a bus ride this week, authorities said. Amanda Davila, 27, of New Brunswick, has been charged with second-degree Manslaughter, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, after fastening the harness of a child's wheelchair too tight, blocking her airway, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. An investigation found that Davila, who was assigned as the school bus monitor, had fastened the girl's 4-point harness that secures her to her wheelchair too "to become tight a…
Two Jersey Shore Women Sentenced, Locked Child In Room 'Day And Night': Prosecutor Two Jersey Shore Women Sentenced, Locked Child In Room 'Day And Night': Prosecutor
Two Jersey Shore Women Sentenced, Locked Child In Room 'Day And Night': Prosecutor Two women have been sentenced to New Jersey State Prison in connection with endangering the welfare of a child who was locked in a bedroom day and night, authorities said. Helecia Morris, 41, of Brick Township, was sentenced to to eight years and Donna Jung, 57, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, to seven years in prison. Jung and Morris were found guilty of endangering on May 25, following a week-long jury trial. On Jan. 9, 2016, Officers from the Brick Township Police Department and representatives from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency responded to a residence on Queen An…
SLEAZEBAG: NJ Case Worker Admits Groping Clients, Sexting Wank Pics, Threatening To Take Kids SLEAZEBAG: NJ Case Worker Admits Groping Clients, Sexting Wank Pics, Threatening To Take Kids
Sleazebag: NJ Case Worker Admits Groping Clients, Sexting Wank Pics, Threatening To Take Kids It’s about as low as someone who works in child welfare services can go. A now-former case worker with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families admitted groping women he was investigating, sending unwanted masturbation pics and threatening to have children taken from those who didn’t go out with him, authorities said on Friday. Gilberto Ortiz Jr., a 53-year-old bilingual family services specialist, told a mom he was investigating that he’d “help her” if she had a relationship with him, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Ortiz warned the woman during a home visi…
NJ Army Major, Wife Who Abused Kids To Be Sentenced For 4th Time: Feds NJ Army Major, Wife Who Abused Kids To Be Sentenced For 4th Time: Feds
NJ Army Major, Wife Who Abused Kids To Be Sentenced For 4th Time: Feds A former Morris County Army major and his wife are set to be sentenced for the fourth time after being convicted of multiple accounts of endangering the welfare of five children they adopted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for The Third Circuit ordered the resentencing on Monday, April 3, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey.  John Jackson — formerly a major in the Army at the Picatinny Arsenal Installation in Morris County — and Carolyn Jackson were initially convicted in 2015. Carolyn was sentenced to 24 months in prison, while John received probation, acco…
South Jersey Man Charged With Luring What He Thought Was A Child Online: Prosecutor South Jersey Man Charged With Luring What He Thought Was A Child Online: Prosecutor
South Jersey Man Charged With Luring What He Thought Was A Child Online: Prosecutor A 27-year-old man from Gloucester County has been arrested for trying to lure a child online, authorities said. Todd Merinuk of West Deptford was charged with two counts of attempted sexual assault, three counts of attempted endangering the welfare of a child and one count of attempted luring, according to  Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. About three weeks ago, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit investigating individuals trying to exploit children online connected with a subject via an anonymous social media plat…
SWAT Standoff Lands Armed Man In Police Custody: Monmouth Prosecutor SWAT Standoff Lands Armed Man In Police Custody: Monmouth Prosecutor
SWAT Standoff Lands Armed Man In Police Custody: Monmouth Prosecutor An hours-long SWAT standoff in Monmouth County landed a 46-year-old man in police custody Sunday, Jan. 29, authorities said. A resident of Pine Valley Court showed up to the Holmdel police station to report a domestic incident involving Brian Piscopo around 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. Approximately an hour after police arrived at the home, the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office were requested. Piscopo was taken to a local med…
2-Year-Old Son Died Of Fentanyl Overdose, South Jersey Mother Charged: Prosecutor 2-Year-Old Son Died Of Fentanyl Overdose, South Jersey Mother Charged: Prosecutor
2-Year-Old Son Died Of Fentanyl Overdose, South Jersey Mother Charged: Prosecutor A 34-year-old woman from Ocean County has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of her 2-year-old son, authorities said. Natalie Sabie, of Lacey Township, was charged in connection with a drug overdose death, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Chief of Police Michael DiBella. Additionally, Sabie was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of fentanyl, they said. On Sept. 7, Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department were summoned to a residence for a report of a two…
Boyfriend Charged In 2-Year-Old Girl's Death In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Boyfriend Charged In 2-Year-Old Girl's Death In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
Boyfriend Charged In 2-Year-Old Girl's Death In Central Jersey: Prosecutor A 29-year-old Perth Amboy man has been charged with killing hi girlfriend’s daughter, authorities said. In addition, the mother of the child was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. On Tuesday, July 26,the Edison Police Department was contacted by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), an order to conduct a welfare check of Monique Durham’s twin 5-year-old daughters. As a result of communicating with the twins’ mother, Ms. Durham, local law enforcement referred the matter to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and a j…
Burlington County Woman Gets 15 Years State Prison For Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor Burlington County Woman Gets 15 Years State Prison For Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor
Burlington County Woman Gets 15 Years State Prison For Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor  A 26-year-old woman from Burlington County has been sentenced to 15 years in New Jersey state prison for sexually assaulting a child in her home early last year, authorities said. Rachel Karngbaye of Willingboro pleaded guilty in September 2021 to second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina. She was sentenced to prison on Wednesday. An investigation began in January 2021 after the victim’s mother contacted Willingboro police to report the assault, Coffina said. Additional details ar…
Unsupervised Boy, 4, Struck By Sedan In Elmwood Park, Child Welfare Authorities Notified Unsupervised Boy, 4, Struck By Sedan In Elmwood Park, Child Welfare Authorities Notified
Unsupervised Boy, 4, Struck By Sedan In Elmwood Park, Child Welfare Authorities Notified A 4-year-old boy was hospitalized with a broken leg -- and child welfare authorities were notified -- after he dashed into an Elmwood Park street and was struck by a sedan Monday night, authorities said. Police notified the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency following the 6:45 p.m. accident, Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno said. The Paterson youngster was unsupervised by an adult when he ran out from between two parked cars on Mola Boulevard near Elmwood Terrace and was struck by a 2006 Nissan Altima, Foligno explained. The boy was taken to St. Joseph's Region…
'No One Listened': Mom Says She Tried To Protect Son Before NJ Dad's Abuse Killed Him 'No One Listened': Mom Says She Tried To Protect Son Before NJ Dad's Abuse Killed Him
'No One Listened': Mom Says She Tried To Protect Son Before NJ Dad's Abuse Killed Him A 29-year-old man from the Jersey Shore has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child in connection to his son's suspicious death, authorities said. Christopher Gregor of Barnegat reportedly surrendered to Barnegat police Friday, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The boy, identified by his mom, Breanna Micciolo, as Englishtown's Corey, Micciolo, was only 6 years old. Micciolo has launched a Change.org petition, where she said she had been pleading with child protective services to help get him away from his abuser -- his father. "No one listened or hel…