NJ father charged in death of 4-month-old son left in minivan
A New Jersey father has been charged in the death of his of 4-month-old son after the baby was found unresponsive inside a minivan earlier this week, authorities said Thursday.
Moshe Ehrlich, 35, of Lakewood Township, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after investigators determined his son had been 'left alone in his vehicle for an extended period of time.'
On Thursday, Ehrlich surrendered himself to authorities at the Lakewood Township Police headquarters before being transported to Ocean County Jail, where he's currently being held, according to prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.
The incident occurred on Tuesday just before 2 p.m. when Lakewood Township Police responded to the area of Fifth St. between Monmouth and Princeton avenues for reports of an 'infant inside a motor vehicle in distress.'
When police arrived at the scene, they found a volunteer EMS group attempting to render lifesaving aid to the baby.
The child was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was later pronounced dead, officials said.
'The entire Lakewood community is in mourning following the devastating news,' Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller said in a statement to Pix 11 News on Wednesday. 'Our various local volunteer social service agencies are working to assist those affected in any way they can.'
Police have not yet disclosed the baby's cause of death. The vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, was towed from its parking spot just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
The incident remains an active and ongoing investigation, according to the prosecutor, who said in a statement that 'additional charges may be forthcoming.'
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