Jamel Welch, 21, now faces first-degree murder charges, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Welch was initially accused of child endangerment after first-responders were called to an Orange home where the young girl, Laniyah Bloodworth, was found unresponsive on December 30.
The four-year-old was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities said they found bruises on the girl’s body. Welch, described as the boyfriend of the girl’s mother, was babysitting her at the time.
A state medical examiner determined earlier this week that the child died from blunt force trauma, ruling her death a homicide, authorities said.
Prosecutors upgraded the charges against Welch, who remains held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, on Friday.
It was not clear Saturday whether he had retained or been assigned an attorney.
A GoFundMe created to pay for Laniyah Bloodworth’s funeral costs described the child as a “princess.”
“She was a talented ball of light who would light up any room she walked in,” family members wrote. “She did not deserve to leave this world brutally the way she did.”
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MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood swore in a new mayor and Township Committee members on the first of the year at its reorganization meeting. Former Mayor Frank McGehee passed the torch to Dean Dafis. Committeewoman Nancy Adams was sworn in for her third term on the committee and Jamaine Cripe began her first term. Vic DeLuca was elected as deputy mayor at the meeting.
“To serve and to lead is the greatest privilege. I’m stepping in with open eyes, mind and heart, and I welcome all to the table with me,” Dafis said in his speech after being sworn in. “This is a collaboration with my colleagues and with the community. Together, we will lead. I have ideas of my own, but I want to hear yours, too. I have things to say and decisions I want to make, but I want to listen to you and support yours.”
Dafis is the first mayor of Maplewood to be openly gay, and he applauded the LGBTQ community, saying his becoming mayor is a win for them, as well as himself.
“Today is also a triumph for the LGBTQ community, past and present advocates whose efforts have paved the way for our enhanced equality and our increased representation at all levels in society and government,” he said. “It’s a triumph for our LGBTQ youth, who get to see themselves in leadership. This affirms them, and I’m so proud of that. Representation matters. It saves lives.”
In his remarks, Dafis detailed the plans he has for Maplewood while he serves as mayor, including expanding township services. “I’d like to see through social justice and mutual aid programs I’ve championed and bridge gaps in township services,” he said. “I will use my voice and visibility to expand our community’s representation at the county, state and federal levels, ensuring that we are heard and receive our fair share in critical infrastructure investments, and I aim to strengthen our regional partnerships to effectuate necessary change or solve problems that are broader than our borders or our budget.”
Adams thanked those who voted for her in her three campaigns for the Township Committee; she was the top vote-getter in each campaign. Adams described herself as an independent and important voice on the committee.
“I have served with integrity and honesty for the past six years, and I pledge to continue to do so,” she said in her speech at the meeting. “Mine has proven to be an independent and therefore important voice at the table, as was publicly evidenced by my solo stance on the bond ordinance for artificial turf this past summer. The results of the referendum that followed showed my stance was representative of a substantial majority of our residents. I will continue to be outspoken and dedicated to thoughtful deliberations and decisions that are based on facts, combined with my experience and expertise, to make sure we don’t jump into anything until careful and complete consideration has been given, whatever the topic.”
Adams has been the only woman on the Maplewood Township Committee for the last couple of years, but with Cripe’s election to the committee, she is now one of two. She congratulated Cripe in her speech, saying she is excited to serve with her.
“I’m so excited to have another woman join me on the Township Committee, and another woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, too,” Adams said. “As you and I have discussed, we often talk in this town of the importance of representation, but women have and continue to be underrepresented at this table and in Maplewood leadership. All children, especially girls, need to see more women representing them in leadership roles, and I know you join me in encouraging more women to run for office and more men to stand up for women.”
Cripe also spoke at the meeting, detailing the challenges the town and country have faced in the last two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started. She also mentioned social justice issues on which attention needs to be focused, in order to make more progress.
“We can’t afford to sit and accept ‘the norm’ from our leaders, and I’m proud to say I am anything but normal. I promise you that I will fight for all of Maplewood,” Cripe said in her speech. “To work with the members of our Township Committee and this township’s amazing professional staff to improve the quality of life shared by all. To improve our public goods. To support our low-income families, our seniors and help them put down roots and be able to stay in Maplewood.”
At the end of her speech, Cripe said she and the other members of the committee will be able to work together well. “I believe Nancy, Dean, Frank and Vic have what’s best for all of Maplewood at heart when decisions are made, and I look forward to working as a part of this body to move us into a stronger, more unified and more respectful Maplewood for all,” she said.
If you ride a bike on New Jersey’s hiking and walking trails, listen up. Don’t act like you own the path.
I mean it, some of you simply have no care in the world for others, and I see it all too often. You have this attitude like you can do whatever you want with no regard for whoever you’re sharing the path with, or their safety.
The reason I bring this up is because of a recent incident that occurred while I was on one of New Jersey’s walking and biking paths with my son and dog.
But this incident is less about me and more about what this thoughtless biker did to another family that was on the trail.
Dennis Malloy photo
It was a little damp that day having rained earlier. This portion of the trail was paved so it was a little slippery.
Despite the dampness, there were many people out that day, including children. My son and I were on foot walking our dog.
(Burlington County Parks Dept.)
We were crossing this small, wooden bridge when we approached this family with two young children. I would say one of these kids had to be around five, and the other one a bit younger than that.
These two kids were on scooters. Nothing too big or crazy, and they were minding their own business.
As my son and I carefully passed them, you can hear the dad coaching them and helping them out with balance. Being they were on a footbridge, the parents had the kids toward the center.
And like any kid learning to balance, they weren’t necessarily the straightest riders. That’s OK; you have to learn sometime.
So we pass this family and get off the bridge. We get a little bit further when we see this biker coming up the path from ahead of us.
Jupiterimages
He was on a full-sized bike and riding pretty fast. And this wasn’t a young gentleman either, probably somewhere around 50 from the looks of it.
Now, if you’re on a part of the path where nobody is, then feel free to go as fast as you want. But when you approach others, it’s common courtesy to slow down.
Not so much for this guy. As we saw him approaching, it didn’t seem like he had any interest to slow down.
My son and I, along with the dog, moved over to the side of the path as this guy went speeding by.
At the moment, I was disappointed that it seemed he didn’t even make an attempt to slow down. Almost as if he was bothered that we were in his way. Still, we were at a safe distance to the side when he went by.
It was what he did afterward that really bothered me. Keep in mind, he has now passed us and I was looking back at the guy after he whizzed by (I think that’s a normal reaction for any of us when someone passes us by doing something stupid).
Getty Images
Remember that family with the young kids on scooters we passed a little while ago? Well, they were just at the end of this wooden bridge ready to get off of it when this biker approached them.
What this guy did next was deserving of him to crash and fall off his bike. I hate to sound so mean, but he really would’ve deserved it if it did happen.
Dennis Malloy photo
These two young children were still in the center of the path, and this biker, with no regard for anyone but himself, maintains his speed and zooms right between the kids.
From where I was, it looked like he nearly took them out. And you can tell the father wasn’t happy, shouting back at the guy as he rode by.
I couldn’t believe it. It was rude enough with how he went by us, but we were at least safely to the side. This poor family and kids had nowhere to go at the end of the bridge, and this guy had no regard for them or their safety whatsoever.
What if one of those kids fell into the biker’s path? Would this guy even have cared? I bet you if that happened that this person would’ve somehow blamed the kids.
Jersey’s mild winter leaves even more fitness possibilities open (YanLev, ThinkStock)
Luckily, nobody was hurt. But it’s yet another example of bikers thinking they own the road. Or in this case, the path.
gustavofrazao
I know it’s not all bikers. I’m a biker myself and respect the rules when I ride, and I know many of you do the same. But for those of you who don’t, I just hope you don’t drive the same way you ride. You’re an arrogant jerk, and nothing more.
The 10 free bridges from New Jersey to Pennsylvania (and vice versa!)
Pennsylvania’s Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission oversees many of these free crossings, and their method is one that is a foreign concept to those in charge in the Garden State. The group uses revenue generated from larger, more heavily trafficked crossings to maintain the free ones.
NJ’s Route 22 circa 1984 — Do you recognize these businesses?
Thanks to a new music video for a song called “Twenty Two” by the band Jacques Le Coque, some great footage has surfaced of the NJ portion of U.S. 22, a vital artery through Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, and Essex counties.
Charges have been upgraded for an Essex County man arrested in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, authorities announced Saturday.
Jamil Welch, of Orange, was initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the death of Laniyah Bloodworth, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stevens II, and Orange Police Director Todd Warren said in a joint release.
The charge was upgraded to murder after the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office received the autopsy results, showing the child died from blunt force trauma.
Welch was babysitting the girl before authorities were called to a home on the 200 block of Wallace Street in Orange, on a report of an unresponsive child. The little girl was transported to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m., on Dec. 30.
Unexplained bruises were initially found on her body, prompting the initial charge for Welch, Stevens said.
Welch was being held in the Essex County Jail in Newark.
“She was filled with Love, Joy and Happiness,” Annette Bloodworth writes on the campaign. “There are no words to describe the way we are hurting. She was a talented ball of light who would light up any room she walked in.
“She Did not deserve to leave this world brutally the way she did. She deserves a Royal homegoing like the princess she is. We thank you and we appreciate any Donations in advance.”
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877 TIPS- 4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
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IRVINGTON, NJ — In an effort to brighten spirits for the holidays and to help others as the cold weather settles in, the Irvington chapter of the National Action Network, in conjunction with Spinnerrellas Lady Ryderz LLC, donated much-needed items to an Irvington shelter for women and children. Through this initiative, the National Action Network has spread joy and has helped to keep women and children warm this season.
Turning Point Community Services in Irvington is a community-based organization that addresses the needs of underserved people, especially women and children. October Hudley, the president of the Irvington chapter of the National Action Network, discussed the partnership between the two donating groups behind the donations.
“The Irvington chapter of National Action is an independent volunteer organization which operates in a specific geographical region and supports the programs and goals of the National Action Network, under the leadership of the honorable Rev. Al Sharpton,” Hudley said on Monday, Jan 3. “The Spinnerrellas Lady Ryderz LLC is a cycling group of women that ride to promote health. We contacted the agency to see what items the women and children use. They provided us with some suggested items the women and children could use for the winter months.”
The items donated by NAN and Spinnerrellas Lady Ryderz LLC to the women’s shelter included blankets, hats, gloves and socks, which were given to 50 people.
“The donations of blankets came from members of the Irvington chapter NAN and Irvington chapter NAN organizations,” Hudley said. “Spinnerrellas hosted a hat and glove drive, where people attended and donated for the cause. As a collaborative effort, blankets, gloves and socks were donated to the women’s shelter. We wanted to spread joy to the women and children during the holiday season and to let them know we care.”
Hudley said it felt very gratifying to do this for others. She also gave a brief insight into her organization’s next community service venture.
“We decided to donate to the women’s shelter first because it was a way of providing a service to local residents. Also, because we would be able to help mothers and their children to help brighten their spirits during the winter holidays,” Hudley said. “The items will come in handy to keep the women and children warm during the winter months. It’s always a gratifying feeling when you do the good deed of community service. This year, we are looking forward to doing a food giveaway for the community, to serve hundreds of people in need.”
LONG BRANCH, NJ – Family & Children’s Service, the oldest, private nonprofit social service agency in Monmouth County, is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Louis A. Schwarcz as chief executive officer. He assumed leadership of the organization on Jan. 3.
“The FCS team welcomes Louis, who brings great expertise in mental health services and community collaborations to our organization,” said board Chairwoman Tiffany Senft. “We look forward to working with him to continue to advance the agency’s 113-year mission to provide compassionate care, intervention, and education to people during challenging times in their lives.”
Most recently, Schwarcz served as CEO of The Bridge, Inc. where he led community-based mental health and substance use services for at-risk children, adults and families in Essex and Union counties. While there he expanded mental health and substance use outpatient services, co-led a successful statewide effort to fully restore funding for school-based youth services and developed an innovative adolescent substance abuse program for high-risk middle and high school students. He also developed an early childhood intervention program in partnership with the YMCA.
Schwarcz also served as CEO of the Mental Health Association of Morris County, Inc.; associate executive director of Family Service of Morris County, Inc.; and director of programs and services at the Mental Health Association of Morris County. Among his accomplishments are the creation of Project Morris 9/11, which he co-founded to provide support for families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001, and the development and implementation of county integrated case management services. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, a premier statewide trade association. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University.
Senft acknowledged Anna Burian, who temporarily stepped down from her role on the FCS board to serve as interim CEO following the resignation of former CEO Colleen Verriest. “Anna’s leadership and guidance have been instrumental in sustaining the agency’s operations over the past several months and we are extremely grateful for her dedicated service to our clients and staff, and her stewardship of FCS,” Senft added.
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TRENTON – Access to the state Assembly chamber for next week’s Monday voting session and Tuesday reorganization meeting will require a negative COVID test, regardless of whether someone is vaccinated.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced the revised policy Friday. It could help avoid a repeat of last month’s confrontations, in which opponents of a vaccine-or-test rule sidestepped state troopers to enter for one session, then slowed the process to a crawl at the next session with lengthy speeches.
Coughlin, D-Middlesex, cited record increases in COVID-19 infections as a cause for caution.
“The pandemic has challenged us all,” Coughlin said. “But I will not compromise when it comes to the health and safety of members of the legislature and the public while conducting the people’s business.”
The change in part reflects that plenty of people who have been fully vaccinated and boosted are being infected by the omicron variant of the virus, though their symptoms tend to be milder than they are for people who aren’t vaccinated.
The Assembly reorganization session, at which all 80 members take the oath of office, including new members elected in November, takes place at the nearby Trenton War Memorial to ensure there is space for a large number of guests.
Under the new policy, a negative COVID-19 rapid test taken after noon Saturday will be required of all who intend to attend the Monday or Tuesday meetings. Members and staff will need to certify to their respective house leadership that they have a negative COVID-19 test.
A rapid testing site will be available at the Statehouse Monday for Assembly members and staff who could not get tested beforehand and again Tuesday for all legislators and new members’ guests for the reorganization ceremony.
A phone line will be available in order for those who cannot make the Monday session or who test positive to participate and attend.
The Assembly gallery will be closed to the public, with the session available to view live online. Reporters covering the sessions will have to comply with the testing rule.
WESTFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A state of emergency Friday in New Jersey has been lifted after a significant winter storm caused a messy morning commute.
North Jersey residents woke up to snow covered cars, unplowed local streets, tree branches lightly coated, and sunshine. The sun helped melt things quickly.
As CBS2’s Meg Baker reports, some people ventured out in Union County to explore, and some dogs got involved too, zooming in the powder.
A few inches of snow didn’t stop one woman from her morning walk in Scotch Plains. The snow was a light consistency, making it easier to shovel.
In neighboring Essex County, officials said the storm came at a perfect time – overnight – so there were no cars out on the roads, making it easier to clear.
Communities prepared overnight. The Essex County Department of Public Safety said it had more than 200 trucks out to make sure roads are clear.
“We did have enough notice. We were prepared. Public Works did a tremendous job clearing the snow,” said Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.
The morning commute was light. Many schools were closed and state offices had a delayed open.
ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A state of emergency Friday in New Jersey has been lifted after a significant winter storm caused a messy morning commute.
But what a difference a few hours made. By noon, the sun was shining in Elizabeth and it felt like a beautiful winter day, CBS2’s Natalie Duddridge reported.
It was a much different scene in the morning. Mobile 2 checked out conditions on the New Jersey Turnpike before 8 a.m. when snow was falling at a rate of an inch per hour.
There was a commercial vehicle ban on most of the major interstates, but not the turnpike.
While Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, the National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings or advisories in all 21 counties.
The snow was to blame for several early-morning crashes. Route 18 in New Brunswick was closed due to an overturned tractor-trailer.
State offices had a delayed opening at 11 a.m. Many schools announced snow days or other schedule changes. No major power outages were reported.
Communities prepared overnight. The Essex County Department of Public Safety said it had more than 200 trucks out to make sure roads are clear.
“On the west side of Essex, there’s about eight inches of snow. Why we were so lucky is the snow is so fluffy and so soft, and I’m sure it’s going to melt very, very quickly. The only thing that we’re doing right now is we’re salting the roads,” said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo.
“I love the snow,” one child said.
“I love snow, but I’d rather be in the heat,” another person said.
“The conditions were great, but the snow is a little late. Where was this on Christmas?” said another person.
A handful of NJ Transit trains and buses were still experiencing weather-related delays around noon, but officials expected the issues to be cleared up soon.
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Paul Sarlo announced at the start of Thursday afternoon‘s hearing that the measure had been placed on the agenda. | Mel Evans/AP Photo
A bill that appears aimed at boosting a state lawmaker’s pension began advancing in the late stages of the lame duck session Thursday after it was amended to incorporate another pension padding measure the Legislature has unsuccessfully tried to pass twice.
There was no advance notice that the bill, NJ S4250 (20R), would be heard by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee until Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), the committee chair, announced at the start of Thursday afternoon‘s hearing that the measure had been placed on the agenda.
The bill would allow politicians to re-enroll in the Public Employees Retirement System [PERS] if they were enrolled for at least 10 years but took office after July 1 2007, when a law barred newly elected officials from the system and put them into defined contribution plan similar to a 401(k).
The last-minute amendment would allow elected officials who are already receiving a pension for a previous elected job to request that their current elected position be counted toward that pension without forcing them to re-enroll in the pension system — something legislative leaders unsuccessfully attempted to do in 2018 and 2020. They would receive the increased benefit as a lump sum.
The bill was advanced, 7-5, along party lines, with all Democrats voting in favor and Republicans opposed. It did not include a fiscal analysis of its impact on the pension system, which remains underfunded by billions of dollars. The bill could get a final vote on Monday, the final voting day of the session.
Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union) introduced the bill in December. It would allow his running mate, Assemblymember Annette Quijano (D-Union), to re-enroll in the system. The measure would likely also apply to other politicians, though its provisions on who would qualify are narrow.
During Thursday’s hearing, Sarlo said that at committee members’ request, he reached out to the Division of Pension and Benefits to request a list of people to whom the measure would apply.
“We were not able to receive any information back. I’m not sure if we’re entitled to it, quite frankly,” he said.
Quijano worked for years as an attorney in three Democratic gubernatorial administrations. Prior to that, she held various Union County jobs before she was named to the Assembly by the Union County Democratic Committee in 2008 to replace former Assemblymember Neil Cohen, who resigned after being caught with child porn.
Quijano has 10 years and nine months accrued in PERS, according to information received through a public records request. Allowing Quijano to re-enroll in PERS would add many years of service to her pension, increasing its payout when she retires.
The late amendment would incorporate changes that, when first proposed, were geared toward Assemblymember Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) and would also have applied to at least one other lawmaker — Sen. James Beach (D-Camden).
Caputo receives a pension from PERS in addition to his $49,000 legislative salary. According to his financial disclosure statements, Caputo’s pension is between $10,000 and $25,000 and is based on his years as an Essex County freeholder from 2003 to 2011.
Beach was a Camden County freeholder for three years and the Camden County clerk for 13 years clerk before joining the Senate in 2009. According to Beach’s 2019 financial disclosure, he and his wife receive pensions from PERS of between $25,000 and $50,000 — although the pensions are not listed on his 2020 disclosure.
Sen. Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) argued during Thursday’s meeting that it was unfair to boost politicians’ pensions at a time when retirees haven’t gotten a cost-of-living adjustment to their benefits since 2011.
“We know how bad the unfunded pension liability happens to be. We have no idea what the increase to the liability would be here. I just think it’s wrong,” Oroho said.
The legislation is one of several recent measures to roll back reductions to public worker benefits over the last 15 or so years to combat decades of underfunding. The current state budget makes the first full pension payment since 1996.
Legislation is currently advancing that’s intended to allow former Carteret Councilmember Raymond “Randy” Krum to collect a pension for the Turnpike Authority job he retired from this month while serving on the council. Krum had to resign from the council in order to collect his pension, but hopes to be reappointed if the law passes.
In September, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that allows county prosecutors back into the pension system while moving staff prosecutors hired after 2010 into the more generous pension system those hired before then enjoy. He also signed a bill, NJ S4098 (20R), to allow Judge Glenn A. Grant to defer his pension so he can remain as administrative director of the courts beyond the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Perhaps the most famous recent example came four years ago, when in one of his last acts in office, former Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation designed to allow former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, a Democrat who often allied with Christie, back into the first-tier of PERS just as she was hired for a $275,000-a-year job on an obscure university governing board.
There has been chatter among lawmakers that the bill could run afoul of the New Jersey Constitution, which states that during lawmakers’ terms, their compensation is “fixed by law and no other allowance or emolument, directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatever.” It also states that “no increase or decrease [of lawmakers’ compensation] shall be effective until the legislative year following the next general election for members of the General Assembly.”
