Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit charged a Jersey City woman with concealing the remains of a 78-year-old woman who was found deceased in her Arlington Avenue apartment Saturday night following a call for a welfare check.
According to police, Ms. Cheryl Gatling, 53, of Jersey City, has been charged with Concealing Human Remains in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1(a)1, a crime of the second-degree; Possession of Weapon (Knife) for Unlawful Purposes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, a crime of the third-degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Knife) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, a crime of the fourth-degree; and Terroristic Threats in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3(b), a crime of the third-degree.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, on Saturday, at approximately 8:18 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to 415 Arlington Avenue on a welfare check for one of the fourth floor occupants.
Suarez said 53-year-old woman barricaded herself in the apartment and would not allow officers to access the unit for three hours.
Police at the scene said at approximately 11:24 p.m., the woman opened the door and allowed the Jersey City Police Department to gain access to the apartment where they found a lifeless 78-year-old woman, presumed to be the mother of the defendant – Ms. Dorothy Gatling.
The victim was pronounced deceased at 11:47 p.m. and is believed to be deceased for an extended period of time.
The cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner.