By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on October 15, Dhenmark Francisco, 28, of Toms River, and Jovi Esperanza, 31, of Beachwood, were each charged with Aggravated Assault in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on October 14, 2024.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on October 15, the Berkeley Township Police Department was contacted by authorities at the Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility regarding a patient who had been assaulted.
According to Ocean County officials, an investigation by the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that on October 14, at approximately 11:45 a.m., a 52-year-old male patient was assaulted by two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who the facility employed.
The patient was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River and then transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick for treatment of his injuries, officials stated.
County authorities said he is listed in critical but stable condition.
Further investigation identified Francisco and Esperanza as the CNAs responsible for assaulting the victim, County officials say.
Berkeley Township Police said that on October 15, Francisco was taken into custody at the facility without incident.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing, authorities say.
Prosecutor Billhimer stated that on that same date, Esperanza surrendered himself to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters; he was likewise transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.