Karen Stewart, a 24-year old woman from the Borough of Prospect Park, has now also been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with the death of her four-month old son last week, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Stewart (pictured left) has been incarcerated at the Passaic County jail since her arrest last week. She was initially charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Aggravated Assault after authorities learned that she beat her infant son because he would not stop crying. He later died as a result of his injuries.
After receiving the results of the autopsy yesterday, the charges were upgraded. Stewart’s bail was also increased from $200,000 to $350,000.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled, “Prospect Park woman charged with manslaughter in death of four-month-old son.”
If convicted of Aggravated Manslaughter, Stewart could face up to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison, 85% of which would have to be served before she would be eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) for violent offenders. She faces separate sentences on the other charges.
