NJ Girl Dies; Found With ‘Unexplained Bruises’ In Orange: Police – Patch

ORANGE, NJ — Authorities charged a New Jersey man with endangering the welfare of a child after a 4-year-old girl died in Essex County last week, prosecutors announced Monday.

Emergency responders were dispatched to a home on the 200-block of Wallace Street after getting a report about an “unresponsive” child on Thursday, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Orange Police Department.

First responders transported Laniyah Bloodworth, 4, of Orange, to University Hospital in Newark, where she was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m. on Dec. 30.

According to prosecutors, the child had “unexplained bruising” on her body. The cause and manner of death is pending an autopsy.

The boyfriend of the child’s mother, Jamil Welch, 21, of Orange, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said.

An investigation is ongoing. Police said anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877 TIPS- 4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com