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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 f…
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…
South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say A Lacey Township woman admitted to using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She pleaded guilty to possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges came from an investigation when Lacey Township police received a tip from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Investigators said Wh…
South Jersey Coach Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Neighborhood Child, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Coach Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Neighborhood Child, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Coach Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Neighborhood Child, Prosecutors Say A Washington Township sports coach was found guilty of sexually assaulting a child who was also his neighbor, authorities said. A jury convicted 43-year-old Frank Natanni on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Gloucester County Prosecutor Elizabeth Vogelsong-Parvin said in a news release. Investigators said Natanni was the child's neighbor and coach at the time of the assaults. Natanni's first criminal complaint in 2020 accused him of hugging, kissing, and cuddling the victim, along with sending sexual text messages, NJ Advance Media previously reported. He was then given additional charges, clai…
Man Who Sexually Abused Kids For 8+ Years In South Jersey Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say Man Who Sexually Abused Kids For 8+ Years In South Jersey Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Man Who Sexually Abused Kids For 8+ Years In South Jersey Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say A Pennsauken man will spend at least two dozen years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting two children, authorities said. Henry Parker, 72, was sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 7 to 27 years in state prison, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said in a news release. A jury found Parker guilty on Friday, June 14. The victims testified at trial that Parker began sexually assaulting them at his home in October 2009. The assaults continued until they reported the abuse to police in January 2018. Parker was convicted of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault…
Child Overdosed On Cocaine, Maple Shade Drug Dealer Federally Charged: Prosecutors Child Overdosed On Cocaine, Maple Shade Drug Dealer Federally Charged: Prosecutors
Child Overdosed On Cocaine, Maple Shade Drug Dealer Federally Charged: Prosecutors A Maple Shade man was accused of selling drugs after bringing an overdosing child to a hospital, authorities said. Daniel Garcia Jr., 27, was charged with possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 24. According to court documents and statements, Garcia and another person rushed the child to the hospital on Sunday, June 23. The child wasn't breathing, was having seizures, was drooling, and was unresponsive. Afte…
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…
NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police
NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police A 42-year-old high school paraprofessional from Burlington County has been arrested after authorities say he tried to convince a student to have sex. Michael Van Kline, of Lumberton, who worked at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, used social media to converse with the student, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said. Van Kline convinced the student to send him nude photos and suggested the two meet to have sex, Bradshaw said. The investigation began after authorities got a tip that Van Kline may have been inappropriately communicating with a student electronically, the p…
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…
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…
Toddler Overdoses On Meth, Two South Jersey Women Arrested: Police Toddler Overdoses On Meth, Two South Jersey Women Arrested: Police
Toddler Overdoses On Meth, Two South Jersey Women Arrested: Police Two Atlantic County women were arrested after a toddler overdosed on methamphetamine, authorities said. Holly Peace, 43, of Egg Harbor Township, and Gabrielle DePasquale, 44, of Atlantic City, were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said in a news release on Friday, June 7. Peace was also charged with neglect of a child and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Egg Harbor Township police received a report on Tuesday, Apr. 30 of a 16-month-old child who suffered overdose symptoms after ingesting meth. …
South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say An Ocean County woman was accused of using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, of Lacey Township, was arrested on Wednesday, June 5. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced her charges in a news release. Lacey police were told by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency in March that Whalen was using her Elwood Street home to make and sell psilocybin mushrooms. Officers executed a search warrant on the home on Wednesday, Mar. 13. Detectives seized several jars with suspected psychedelic mushrooms and…
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
Dad Charged With Murder In 9-Year-Old Son's Death Is Employed By Sayreville Schools: Officials 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…
Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Cape May Pair In Custody: Authorities Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Cape May Pair In Custody: Authorities
Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Cape May Pair In Custody: Authorities A man and woman from Woodbine are facing charges after authorities found a child in their care living in "deplorable conditions," officials said. Wanda Storms, 64, and Kevin Storms, 35, are each charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced the charges on Tuesday, Jan. 23. State troopers made the horrifying discovery at the Marcellaro Road home while performing a welfare check on Sunday, Jan. 21, they said. Storms were arrested and released on a summons.  Sutherland said the investigation is ongoing and pol…
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…
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…
Atlantic City HS Teacher Charged With Sexual Contact With Ex-Student: Prosecutor Atlantic City HS Teacher Charged With Sexual Contact With Ex-Student: Prosecutor
Atlantic City HS Teacher Charged With Sexual Contact With Ex-Student: Prosecutor The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit conducted an investigation into an inappropriate relationship between a former student at the Atlantic City High School and a teacher at the school.  The teacher, identified as Joseph A. Scalfaro, 47, of Absecon, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and second-degree official misconduct, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Scalfaro and the victim engaged in an inappropriate relationship, both on and off school property, the prosecutor said…