From left, top row: Patricia Buchan, Natacha Smith, and Mary Buchan. From left, bottom row, Homer Searcy, Bridget Buchan, and Patricia Gamarra. (Essex County Prosecutor)
And while the prosecutor’s office offered some description of the abuse and the living situation of the six, there are still many unanswered questions.
For instance, why was the boy targeted for abuse when the other five children apparently were not? Authorities also haven’t said whose children they are.
Here’s a look at what we know so far about the allegations that have shocked the state.
What are they accused of doing?
Carter said investigators believe the six adults engaged in the “systemic and coordinated beating of the boy with belts and fists” as a form of punishment.
They also scalded him with hot water to discipline him, authorities said.
The public preschool he went to reported his injuries last week, but authorities believe the abuse has been going on since at least July.
Smith, Gamarra, Patricia Buchan and Bridget Buchan were all arrested Friday, Carter said. Mary Buchan was arrested yesterday.
Carter said Searcy is already in jail on an unrelated matter.
How did they all live in there together?
The apartment they all was in this Clinton Place building in Newark. (Taylor Tiamoyo Harris)
How did they all live in there together?
Authorities have said that there were a dozen people — six adults and six children — living in a three-bedroom apartment in the Clinton Place home.
Carter said the Buchans and Gamarra were originally living in the apartment, and they let Searcy and Smith move in. They knew each other through a mutual friend, Carter said.
The other five children, who are also in protective custody, are between the ages of 1 and 7, she said.
It’s not clear whether the landlord knew how many people were residing in the apartment. Attempts to contact the owner of the property were not successful Wednesday.
City code says that a dwelling can hold no more than one family plus two other people.
