A LITTLE EGG HARBOR NEW JERSEY COUPLE INDICTED IN THE STRICT LIABILITY IN THE DRUG INDUCED DEATH OF AN OCEAN COUNTY TEEN
" David Belk & Stephanie O'Neil Of Little Egg Harbor Indicted For Supplying Fentanyl Laced Heroin To A 16-Year-Old Little Egg Harbor Boy That Caused His Fatal Overdose."
November 5, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
TOMS RIVER, NJ.- Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Thursday, November 4, 2021, a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County, New Jersey has returned an Indictment against David Belk, 45, and Stephanie O’Neill, 44, both of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey Charging both with, Strict Liability Drug Induced Death; Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Distribution of Heroin; Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; and Possession of Heroin in connection with the Death of a Sixteen-Year-Old Boy in Little Egg Harbor on July 3, 2021.
On Friday, July 3, 2021, Members of The Little Egg Harbor Police Department responded to a residence on East Susquehanna Drive on a report of an Unresponsive Sixteen-Year-Old Male lying on the floor.
Upon arrival, Police Officers immediately administered lifesaving techniques the Teen was immediately transported to Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, New Jersey where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.
An investigation by The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau discovered Heroin and Fentanyl at the residence.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of Heroin and Fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, The Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the Heroin and Fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. As a consequence, Mr. Belk and Ms. O’Neill were Charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death on Wednesday, August 26, 2021.
On Wednesday, August 26, 2021, Ms. O’Neill was taken into custody and was released by The Court on home detention pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. On August 27, 2021, Belk was apprehended in Atlantic City, New Jersey by The New Jersey Transit Police, and has been lodged in The Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Ocean County Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater who is handling the case on behalf of The State and commends The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Patrol Division, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER NOVEMBER 5, 2021: LAW, OCEAN: