Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of Joseph Chmielewski, 40, and Juliann Garner-Chmielewski, 34, both of Wallington.
The arrests are the result of an investigation into the death of their three-day old daughter who was born outside of a hospital setting on Feb. 6th.
According to police, on Feb. 9th, a 911 call was placed from Chmielewskis’ Wallington residence reporting an unresponsive infant in medical distress. The infant was transported by ambulance to HUMC, where she was pronounced dead.
The subsequent investigation into the infant’s death revealed that Joseph Chmielewski and Juliann Garner-Chmielewski were the infant’s parents and willfully failed to seek medical attention for her.
Authorities charged Joseph Chmielewski with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child while police charged Juliann Garner-Chmielewski with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Police said both Joseph Chmielewski and Juliann Garner-Chmielewski appeared in Central Judicial Processing Court on Feb. 12th and were released.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.