|
 |
| Offices
& Departments: Prosecutor's
Office |
2004
Media Releases:
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA INFORMATION
January 4, 2004
Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Mount Ephraim Police Chief Christopher
Ferrari reported that a 42-year-old Mount Ephraim, N.J., woman was
charged today in the alleged Attempted Murder of her newborn baby
girl on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004.
Denise Marie Winner, of Mount Ephraim Avenue in Mount Ephraim, is
charged with Attempted Murder, which carries up to 20 years imprisonment
upon conviction, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, which carries
up to 10 years. It is alleged that Winner gave birth to a female baby
into the toilet at her apartment at approximately 3:40 p.m. on Jan.
3. The charges allege that Winner knew the baby was alive, closed
the toilet lid and left the room.
Preliminary investigation indicates the defendant's 59-year-old live-in
boyfriend heard faint crying sounds emanating from the toilet shortly
after 4 p.m. He then lifted the lid and found the child, whose head
was not submerged. The boyfriend then wrapped the baby in a shirt
and towel and called 911 at 4:17 p.m., investigation indicates.
The baby was rushed to an area hospital. She weighed 3 pounds, 2 ounces
on arrival. Her body temperature had dipped to 82 degrees. As of Sunday
afternoon, her temperature had recovered to the normal 98.6 degrees,
and doctors report her chances of survival are good. It is estimated
that the baby was in the toilet approximately 30 minutes. Doctors
report that the baby could have expired if it had remained in the
cold water another 30 minutes or so.
Winner was taken to a local hospital Saturday afternoon and remains
hospitalized. She is expected to be released from the hospital on
Monday, Jan. 5, at which time she is expected to be remanded to the
Camden County Correctional Facility. Bail is set at $200,000, cash
or bond. A "Priority 4" bail condition is in place, barring the defendant
from having contact with the infant victim. No court appearances are
scheduled at this time.
Investigators believe the boyfriend was unaware that Winner was pregnant.
"These allegations are shocking and disturbing," Sarubbi said. "The
baby girl is beautiful and charming, and her prognosis for survival
is good."
The investigation indicates the defendant was aware she was pregnant,
and that the baby was born at 7½ months gestation. Winner has two
other children, but did not have custody of them, the prosecutor said,
adding she and her boyfriend had lived alone at the Mount Ephraim
address.
Sarubbi thanked the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Child Abuse
Unit and Mount Ephraim Police for the thoroughness of their investigation.
All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty in a court of law.
|
Select from past media Releases:
<<
Back
to Main Media Releases
>>
Top
of Page <<
|
