Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 22, 2025, Jenna O’Connor, 32, of Ocean Gate, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child in connection with an incident that occurred in Ocean Gate on July 17, 2025.
On July 17, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a report of a two year-old female in critical condition. The child was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for further treatment. On July 21, 2025, the child passed away. Tests performed on the child while she was hospitalized revealed the presence of methadone in the child’s system.
An initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, and Ocean Gate Police Department Detective Bureau, revealed that on the morning of July 17, 2025, O’Connor – the mother of the child – called 911 after finding the child unresponsive in her crib. Further investigation revealed that O’Connor was at home and responsible for the child’s care on July 16th through July 17th, and that the child had access to methadone in the home.
On July 22, 2025, O’Connor was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“While the death of this baby is tragic, the investigation remains active and ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming,” Prosecutor Billhimer noted.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean Gate Police Department, Ocean Gate Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).