By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Morris County announced that a former licensed nurse has been sentenced in connection with the death of a disabled man, who passed away on February 10, 2023, shortly after being transported on his school bus.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll stated that on February 25, Emilio J. Rivera, 30, of Carlstadt, pled guilty to one count of Endangering Another Person, a crime of the third degree, and one count of Neglect of a Disabled Person, a crime of the third degree, before Judge Ralph Amirata, J.S.C.
According to Morris County officials, on April 4, Rivera was sentenced by Judge Amirata to 3 years’ probation conditioned upon 90 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility, with up to 45 days to be served in the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP).
Defendant was ordered to have no contact with the victim’s family, and Rivera also consented to the revocation of his nursing license, Morris County officials say.
The charges stem from a 9-1-1 call on February 10, 2023, in East Hanover, MCPO officials stated. Police and emergency personnel were called to a residence on a report of an unconscious male.
MCPO authorities said that the man, Matthew Rossi (pictured), 19, who was wheelchair bound and non-verbal, had just arrived home on the bus from his school.
EMS personnel and East Hanover Police officers attempted CPR and other life-saving interventions. The victim was subsequently pronounced deceased, according to Morris County officials.
In keeping with policy, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and East Hanover Police Department conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the victim’s death.
Morris County officials said the subsequent investigation revealed the victim was accompanied on the bus by a licensed nurse, Rivera.
Rivera was legally responsible for the care of Matthew, and neglected to perform certain acts necessary for the victim’s care, which created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury, MCPO authorities say.
Image Courtesy: Anabela Rossi