A 24-year old Jersey City man (whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim) is now facing charges for beating his 7-year old daughter. It is alleged that the Columbia Avenue resident utilized a belt, an electrical cord, and a “chicle” (an Ecuadorian whip) to beat his daughter on multiple occasions, including on March 6th – the incident that ultimately led to his arrest.
The beatings left the 7-year old with “significant injury” to her face and body, according to the criminal complaints. The man has been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the Second Degree, Aggravated Assault, a crime of the Third Degree, and Child Abuse, a crime of the Fourth Degree.
He appeared in Hudson County’s Central Judicial Processing Court on Friday via a video link from the Hudson County jail. Bail was set in the amount of $75,000. The case has been referred to the Grand Jury, where prosecutors will seek an Indictment, perhaps on additional charges depending on the outcome of their investigation.
For more information, see the Jersey Journal article entitled, “Jersey City man charged with beating daughter, 7, with belt and whip.”
If convicted of the most serious offense currently charged, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the Second Degree, the man could face upwards of 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. There could also be a host of collateral consequences should he be convicted.
It is likely that the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (“DCPP” – formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services or “DYFS”) is also conducting their own investigation.
