Infant Dies In Hot Car, Ocean County Dad Charged

LAKEWOOD – A Jackson Township man has been criminally charged after his eight-week-old daughter died due to being left in a hot vehicle, officials said.

Avraham Chaitovsky, 28, of Jackson, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in connection with an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township on July 15.

Around 1:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of New Egypt Road regarding a child in cardiac arrest.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, responding officers found Hatzolah Medical Services performing lifesaving measures on an eight-week-old infant. Despite their attempts, the infant was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities later discovered that the infant, Chaitovsky’s daughter, had been left alone in his vehicle for an extended period of time.

It was determined that leaving the infant in the car unattended for such a long period of time was the cause and manner of the infant’s death.

Chaitovsky was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Officials said that investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.