Deaths Of Mother, Infant Under Investigation In Jersey City
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Authorities are investigating after an infant was found dead in a Jersey City home Saturday morning, and her mother, who was also in the home, later died at the hospital.
According to the Hudson County prosecutor's office, Jersey City Police and emergency medical services were sent to a home on Suburbia Court just before 6 a.m. for a report of a woman in need of medical attention.
When officers arrived at the home, they found a 41-year-old woman and her infant daughter, who was unresponsive.
The infant was pronounced dead at the scene. The prosecutor's office says the infant's age and identity are unknown at this time. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
The mother was taken to Jersey City Medical Center. She was pronounced dead just before 5 p.m.
Her identity has not yet been released, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.
"Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking. I hate to see it happen to anybody," one neighbor said.
Neighbors told CBS2's Christina Fan the home has been in deplorable condition for months. They say it's vacant, a haven for squatters and despite all the violations the city has issued, nothing has improved.
On Twitter, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said, "We were here at this same house last year [with] violations."
The prosecutor's office did not provide details, but radio transmission from officers first arriving at the scene seems to confirm dangerous living conditions as they describe seeing needles, feces and maggots.
Anyone with information that may help law enforcement in their investigation is asked to contact the Hudson County prosecutor's office at (201) 915-1345. Anonymous tips can be left at hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip.
