Cromwell Man Who Sexually Abused Multiple Children Gets 2.5 Decades In Prison: Police
A Connecticut man who admitted to sexually abusing three children for years will spend decades behind bars, a judge ruled this week, authorities said.
Michael Vardal, 49, of Cromwell, was sentenced to 35 years in prison — suspended after 25 years, followed by three decades of supervised probation, Judge Julia DiCocco Dewey ruled on Thursday, Feb. 26, the Office of the State's Attorney said.
Vardal admitted to sexual assaulting abusing three young girls in his care, prosecutors said. He pleaded guility to sexual assault in the first degree, three counts of sexual assaul…
Curtain Rod, Extension Cord Used In Beatings Of Lancaster Children: DA
A Lancaster city couple accused of repeatedly beating two children with household objects including a curtain rod will have their cases move to county court after waiving their preliminary hearings, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, Jan. 2.
Gebron Lamont Reid, 31, and Malina Ounn, 29, both of the 600 block of East King Street, waived their preliminary hearings before Judge Jodie Richardson on Tuesday, Nov. 26, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Both defendants are charged with two counts of Felony Endangering the Welfare of Children and two count…
Double Homicide: 14-Year-Old Stabs Mom, Friend To Death In PA Home, DA Says
A teenager is charged as an adult with homicide after his mother and a family friend were found stabbed to death inside their Carrolltown home, Cambria County officials announced during a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Judah Quinn Courtney, 14, is accused of killing his mother, Olivia Lee Courtney, 32, and family friend Ashley Renee Cook, 38, inside their Flick Avenue home the evening of Monday, Sept. 29.
State police said both women suffered multiple stab wounds to their heads and torsos, resulting in massive blood loss. Three bloody knives — including a butcher knife, serrated kni…
North Branford Dad Who Stabbed Dog To Death In Living Room Sentenced To Prison: State
A North Branford man has been sentenced to 17 months behind bars after he admitted to repeatedly stabbing his daughters' dog to death inside their home, authorities said.
Arnaldo Silva, 53, was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but 17 months suspended, followed by three years of probation, the State's Division of Criminal Justice said. He pleaded guilty in April to cruelty to animals, falsely reporting an incident, and violating conditions of release.
North Branford police were called to Silva’s home on Nov. 13, 2023, for reports of domestic abuse. When office…
NJ Mom Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity After Drowning Toddlers: Report
A 27-year-old Lakewood mother who drowned her two toddlers was found not guilty by reason of insanity, a judge ruled Tuesday, April 1, according to Asbury Park Press.
Naomi Elkins was ordered to be committed to a secure psychiatric hospital for two lifetimes, the outlet said citing a judge's ruling. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office did not respond to a request for comment.
The mom told investigators she drowned her two daughters, 3 years old and 22 months old, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, for "religious" reasons, while her husband was away on business, according to arrest records obt…
Trio Including Ex-Track Star Charged In Toms River Drive-By Shooting Involving Kids: Prosecutor
Three men are facing attempted murder charges after authorities say they opened fire on a Toms River home with an adult and two children inside.
Lyjhahn Cromartie, 19, of Lakehurst, and Shazir Vallade, 20, of Lakewood, were arrested on Feb. 28, 2025, after investigators identified them as suspects in the Jan. 13, shooting, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced. The arrests follow the earlier capture of Javir Askew-Mayweather, 21, a former track star in Manchester, who was taken into custody in Atlantic City and later released under New Jersey Bail Reform policies, …
Brutal Brick Stabbing: Manchester Man Learns His Fate: Prosecutor
A 37-year-old Manchester man was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 17, after stabbing a woman in early 2023, authorities said.
Harry Bray had previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., a Brick Township police officer was conducting a routine check of the area, when he observed a vehicle with two flat tires, Billhimer said.
Upon further examination, the officer found a woman on the ground near the vehicle suffering from multiple stab wounds, Billhimer said. The woman was trans…
