MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit was recognized by the New Jersey Homicide Investigators Association (New Jersey Homicide Investigator’s Association) for the successful investigation and prosecution of the Baby Mary homicide cold case. The award was presented on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the 29th Annual Advanced Homicide Conference at Princeton University.

The body of an abandoned newborn baby, named “Baby Mary,” was discovered in the Mendham Township woods by two boys on Christmas Eve in 1984. At the time of her discovery, the baby girl’s umbilical cord was still attached, and the Medical Examiner determined the infant had been alive at the time of her birth. The death was ruled a homicide.

Over the last four decades, investigators have vigorously pursued every lead to identify Baby Mary and learn more about the circumstances leading to her discovery in the woods. Using new technology, law enforcement networking in three states, and old-fashioned police work, investigators were able to identify Baby Mary’s biological father and mother in 2023. The biological father passed away prior to being identified by investigators. There is no evidence the biological father was aware of the pregnancy, or Baby Mary’s birth or death.

As a result of the diligent work of MCPO investigators, a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed against the biological mother of Baby Mary on April 24, 2023. Mary Catherine Crumlich was a juvenile at the time of her birth. On February 28, 2024, Crumlich entered a guilty plea to Manslaughter, an offense which would be a second degree crime if committed by an adult. On April 3, 2024, the Hon. Michael P. Wright, J.S.C. imposed a disposition of probation conditioned upon 364 days imprisonment at the Morris County Correctional Facility.

For more on the Baby Mary case arrest and disposition, visit https://ow.ly/VnpC50SiXLZ

Members of the MCPO Major Crimes Unit recognized by the NJHIA include Lt. Michael Gomez, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn, Sgt. Sasha Gould, Sgt. Matt Magnone, Det. Melissa Atoche, Det. Matthew Belcastro, Det. Greg Federici, Det. Dakota Keyworth, and Det. Muhammad Thomas. Investigative support members were also recognized: Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson, FS3 Christine Schlenker of the NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Det. Rosie Brown, and Mendham Township Police Lt. Steve Bittman, Sgt. Matthew Ambrosi, and Det. Jim Arnesen.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “Congratulations to the men and women of the Major Crimes Unit, who brought closure to a heartbroken community and justice for a little girl abandoned four decades ago. The new forensic DNA technology was just one step in the complex and exhaustive investigation, across multiple states, which the members of the MCU team utilized to bring this case to fruition. I cannot overstate the amount of effort that went into this case. Mendham Township, and the hard-working investigators of the MCU, never forgot Baby Mary.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Acting Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone confirmed that Gerald Veneziano, 41, of Belleville, has been charged with Reckless Vehicular Homicide in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 31, 2024, in Roxbury.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 31, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles on Howard Boulevard in Roxbury. Investigation revealed that a northbound 2021 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a southbound 2019 Mazda 3.

The driver of the Mazda, Jacob Davis, 19, of Flanders, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Silverado was identified as Gerald Veneziano. He was extricated from the Silverado and transported to Morristown Medical Center with serious internal injuries. Numerous open alcohol containers were found in the vicinity of the Silverado. Subsequent investigation revealed the Silverado was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour at the time of the collision.

As a result of the investigation, Veneziano was subsequently charged on June 21 with one count of second degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a. He has also been charged with a number of motor vehicle offenses. In accordance with state law, the defendant’s arrest photograph will not be released.

Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Veneziano has been released from the Morris County Correctional Facility on a series of non-monetary bail conditions including surrender of his driver’s license and submission to alcohol testing. The next scheduled court appearance is a Pre-Indictment Conference on July 29, 2024, before the Hon. Judge Claudia R. Jones, J.S.C.

The investigation was conducted by the Roxbury Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.