New Jersey Woman Sets Baby On Fire

Late Friday night, witnesses watched in absolute horror as a woman set a newborn baby on fire in New Jersey.

On Simontown Road in Pemberton Township, New Jersey, the north central part of the state, onlookers say that the woman stopped in the street outside of a residence and proceeded to set flame to an infant child in the middle of the road. Nearby neighbors called in law enforcement officials when a report of a “commotion” arose outside of the home prior to the act, though details of what that might have been are as yet unknown as the crime is still under investigation.

The incident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. According to emergency scanner reports, police arrived at the scene to find that the baby had been doused with a flammable liquid and set aflame, and was still burning as authorities approached. The woman, approximate to be in her 20s, was witnessed to have committed the act, and was found in a hysterical state near the vehicle.

Emergency responders managed to douse the fire and attempted to resuscitate the baby. There were significant burns covering most of the child’s body and the infant was flown to Temple University Hospital’s burn unit. After attempts made by hospital staff at that location, the baby was again transferred to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. The newborn baby was pronounced dead in the early hours of Saturday morning, as the damage to its body was too great to save the young child.

The unidentified woman was taken to Deborah Hospital in Browns Mills, New Jersey, and is reported to be in a stable condition though it is not known if she incurred any injuries to herself when she lit the baby on fire. It is also unknown if the woman is the baby’s mother or what relationship she may have to the infant.

Details are still being pieced together as police investigators are trying to determine what happened and what might have caused the woman to set the baby on fire.

As evidence is being compiled in the case, if the woman is proven to be guilty of killing the child, she may be subject to psychological evaluation and be charged with murder.

The senseless murder of children, and especially in such a horrific way as setting a baby on fire, are difficult to report upon, but as details emerge of the case, updates will be given to readers.

[Image courtesy of ABC News]