Passaic County authorities announced the arrest of Ms. Gaudencia Serapio, 31, of Passaic after an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
According to officials, on April 17, the Passaic Police Department responded to a residence in Passaic on a report of a sexual assault of a child.
Prosecutor’s Office detectives were able to interview multiple witnesses, including the thirteen-year-old child.
During a medical evaluation of the thirteen-year-old child, it was discovered that the child had multiple fresh and raised red welts on her right thigh. The child reported that Ms. Serapio hit her with a phone charger at her residence in Passaic.
Officials said Ms. Serapio is charged with one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; one count of third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; one count of fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and one count of fourth degree Child Abuse and Neglect.
Ms. Serapio was charged on a summons complaint and released on her own recognizance. Ms. Serapio is scheduled for her first appearance in Passaic County Central Judicial Processing Court on May 10, 2021. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO. For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa DiSturco of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Division, Special Victims Unit at adisturco@passaiccountynj.org or at (862) 289-2106. Gaudencia Serapio