PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP — A newborn baby died after her mother allegedly doused her with a flammable liquid and set her on fire in the middle of Simontown Road on Friday night, police and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said.
Police charged Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier, 22, of Rutgers Avenue in Pemberton Township, with murder. Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert set bail at $500,000.
Neighbor Dave Joseph, 45, said he witnessed the incident, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at the unit block of the rural road. A young woman had gotten out of her car and lit something on fire in the middle of the road, he said.
Joseph said the woman told him she was burning dog waste.
"Her demeanor was calm. She knew what she was doing," he said.
Joseph said the woman put out the fire with a water bottle. Joseph's wife realized what was happening and began to scream. Dorvilier attempted to flee, but neighbors stopped her from escaping, Joseph said.
The crime scene was about a mile and a half from Dorvilier's home.
"It was just mind-boggling. It was a nightmare even if you have a strong heart," he said. "Hopefully she'll pay for it."
The baby was still alive and breathing when fire and rescue teams arrived on the scene.
"We thought, hopefully, it would fight. It was fighting all night," said Joseph.
The baby girl was flown to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia at around 11:15 p.m. and died around two hour later. The Burlington County medical examiner will perform an autopsy on the baby, authorities said.
Dorvilier was taken to Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Pemberton Township for examination, and then to the Corrections and Work Release Center in the township.
The Prosecutor's Office and Pemberton Township Police are still investigating details about the baby's birth. Authorities did not release a motive in the killing.
Prosecutor Robert Bernardi would not comment on whether the mother has a criminal record or if she has been involved with child welfare officials. It was unknown Saturday if Dorvilier had retained an attorney.
New Jersey, along with other states including Pennsylvania, have what is known as a Safe Haven law for parents and children.
In New Jersey, the law allows a distressed parent who is unable to care for an infant to give up custody of a baby less than 30 days old safely, legally and anonymously, as long as the child has not been abused. The person can do so without fear of prosecution. All that is required is that the baby be brought to a hospital emergency room or police station in New Jersey, according to the law.
A Facebook page has been set up announcing a candlelight vigil for child on Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Browns Mills United Methodist Church on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road. The church is collecting money for expenses related to the baby's funeral.
http://www.theintell.com/news/local...cle_e40fb4a6-31e3-579e-841e-82d7ec100ccf.html
Police charged Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier, 22, of Rutgers Avenue in Pemberton Township, with murder. Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert set bail at $500,000.
Neighbor Dave Joseph, 45, said he witnessed the incident, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at the unit block of the rural road. A young woman had gotten out of her car and lit something on fire in the middle of the road, he said.
Joseph said the woman told him she was burning dog waste.
"Her demeanor was calm. She knew what she was doing," he said.
Joseph said the woman put out the fire with a water bottle. Joseph's wife realized what was happening and began to scream. Dorvilier attempted to flee, but neighbors stopped her from escaping, Joseph said.
The crime scene was about a mile and a half from Dorvilier's home.
"It was just mind-boggling. It was a nightmare even if you have a strong heart," he said. "Hopefully she'll pay for it."
The baby was still alive and breathing when fire and rescue teams arrived on the scene.
"We thought, hopefully, it would fight. It was fighting all night," said Joseph.
The baby girl was flown to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia at around 11:15 p.m. and died around two hour later. The Burlington County medical examiner will perform an autopsy on the baby, authorities said.
Dorvilier was taken to Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Pemberton Township for examination, and then to the Corrections and Work Release Center in the township.
The Prosecutor's Office and Pemberton Township Police are still investigating details about the baby's birth. Authorities did not release a motive in the killing.
Prosecutor Robert Bernardi would not comment on whether the mother has a criminal record or if she has been involved with child welfare officials. It was unknown Saturday if Dorvilier had retained an attorney.
New Jersey, along with other states including Pennsylvania, have what is known as a Safe Haven law for parents and children.
In New Jersey, the law allows a distressed parent who is unable to care for an infant to give up custody of a baby less than 30 days old safely, legally and anonymously, as long as the child has not been abused. The person can do so without fear of prosecution. All that is required is that the baby be brought to a hospital emergency room or police station in New Jersey, according to the law.
A Facebook page has been set up announcing a candlelight vigil for child on Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Browns Mills United Methodist Church on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road. The church is collecting money for expenses related to the baby's funeral.
http://www.theintell.com/news/local...cle_e40fb4a6-31e3-579e-841e-82d7ec100ccf.html
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