An Atlantic City man was arrested today for killing his mother early this morning, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced this evening.
A 9-1-1 call received at 6:29 a.m. today prompted the response of Atlantic City Police and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit to 1812 McKinley Avenue, Atlantic City.
Upon arrival, police found the resident, Gwendolyn Pratt, 64, dead of apparent head injuries. The victim’s son, Steven Pratt, 46, of the same address, was found at the scene and detained by police.
Personnel of the State Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. An autopsy conducted later in the morning determined the manner of death to be homicide, the cause of death: massive blunt head injuries. County Prosecutor Jim McClain authorized the charge of murder against Steven Pratt.
Pratt was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $1 million cash bail, set by Atlantic County Superior Court Jude Noah Bronkesh.
Steven Pratt had been released from New Jersey State Prison on Friday, Oct. 10, after completing a 30-year prison sentence for a 1984 murder.