A woman from Burlington county, Maryann Gonteski has been arrested for child neglect.
The arrest occurred after Gonteski’s daughter was found alone wandering the busy streets of Riverdale. Gonteski was previously arrested on similar charges earlier in the summer when the daughter was found waling around the streets. After the most recent incident, the child was placed with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Gonteski also has other children that currently live with a relative. She is being held on $10,000 bail as of today.
Cases involving children are very sensitive and are always taken very seriously by prosecutors. The penalties, therefore, can be quite significant. Gonteski has been charged with child neglect which involves failure to do or permit to be done any act necessary for the child’s physical or moral well-being. This is a fourth degree crime in New Jersey which means penalties can include up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison, a fine of up to $10,000, a permanent mark on your criminal record, and a possible period of probation.
For more information on this case, please access the nj.com article entitled “NJ mom arrested for 3rd time after daughter, 4, found wandering streets, report says.”
