Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Manchester Township Police Chief Brian Klimakowski on Sept. 12, 2014, announced the arrest of Timothy Montgomery, 33, of Manchester with Endangering the Welfare of a Child (second degree) and Aggravated Assault (third degree).

The arrest came on Thursday, September 11, 2014, as a result of an investigation initiated on June 8, 2014, by Manchester Police Detective Chris Hemhauser and Ocean County Prosecutor Special Victims Unit Detective Melissa Matthews.

On June 8, 2014, Detectives responded to Community Medical Center regarding an 18 month old female who was having seizure episodes. Upon their arrival the detectives spoke with the victim’s mother, who advised her daughter had thrown up on at least two occasions, but she did not realize anything was wrong until the victim was observed lying in her play pen lethargic with shallow breathing. The mother indicated to investigators that the only time her daughter was outside her care was a short time when she when to a Wawa and left her daughter with a person known to her.

An examination by hospital personnel found that the victim suffered injuries indicative of possible physical abuse. Ultimately, the victim underwent brain surgery in the last month to control the swelling of the brain. A medical report authored at Dorothy B. Hersch, Child Protection Center states that the victim’s injury was sustained from inflicted impact and based on her symptoms had to have occurred on Friday evening, June 6.

The subsequent investigation by Detectives Hemhauser and Matthews, which included review of surveillance footage of the victim’s daycare, surveillance footage of the mother’s time spent in Wawa, the fact that the victim was secured in her room with a child gate, and a 911 call placed by the suspect, it was determined by the Detectives, with legal advice by Sr. AP Terry Linardakis, that the defendant be charged.

Bail was set by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, J.S.C. at $100,000 with no 10 percent option. A no victim contact order was also implemented by the Judge. Subsequently, the defendant was remanded to the OCJ in lieu of bail. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency remains involved and were advised as to the defendant’s arrest.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.