Passaic County officials announced the arrest of Jeanandre Desir, 37 years old, from Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Desir was arrested on February 22, after an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Officials say Mr. Desir is charged with one count of second-degree Aggravated Assault, one count of third-degree Aggravated Assault, three counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, two counts of third-degree Witness Tampering, and two counts of second-degree Bribery of a Witness.
Officials say on December 25, 2020, St. Joseph’s University Hospital contacted the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit with concerns for a one-year-old child who sustained a serious abdominal injury.
Prosecutor’s Office detectives were able to interview multiple witnesses, including two children.
One child stated that she hit the one-year-old in the stomach with a hammer which was confirmed by a second child. Both children stated that the incident occurred at their home in Paterson.
Police said a further investigation revealed that Mr. Desir was the person who struck the child with a closed fist to the child’s abdominal area.
The additional investigation also showed that the defendant tampered with the child witnesses to fabricate their initial report.
Efforts were made to locate Mr. Desir and when he could not be located a warrant issued for his arrest.
Between January 8, and February 18, Special Victims Unit detectives made further unsuccessful attempts to apprehend Mr. Desir.
Officials said the United States Marshals Service – New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Mr. Desir in the Bronx, New York. Mr. Desir will be extradited to the State of New Jersey.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for pretrial detention of the defendant.