N.J. man charged after 4-year-old with ‘unexplained bruising’ dies, authorities say – NJ.com

A New Jersey man has been charged with child endangerment after the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, authorities in Essex County announced Monday.

Responding to a call, police found Laniyah Bloodworth unresponsive in her home on Wallace Street in Orange on Dec. 30, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Orange Police Director Todd Warren said in a press release. The girl, who authorities said had “unexplained bruising” on her body, was transported to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, officials said.

Jamil Welch, 21, also of Orange, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the investigation into girl’s death, the prosecutor said.

A determination of the cause and manner of the girl’s death is pending an autopsy, officials said.

Attorney information for Welch was not immediately available.

An investigation is ongoing, officials said. 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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Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com.