Former East Orange Police Officer Convicted Of Multiple Beatings Of 9-Year-Old Son

FORMER POLICE OFFICER WILL SPEND THE NEXT EIGHT DECADES IN JAIL FOR BEATING HIS SON

     "Devin L. Higgs Was Convicted On Friday, On Charges Of Aggravated Assault & Child Endangerment."

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News, 

WEST ORANGE, NJ.- On Friday, a Brave Nine-Year-Old Boy who endured Months of Savage Beatings at the hands of his Father, who at the time was employed as an East Orange Police Officer, finally received Justice after his Father was Convicted on Multiple Counts of Aggravated Assault and Child Endangerment.

     According to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, on Friday, March 1, 2024, following a Four-Day Trial, a Jury sitting in Essex County, New Jersey returned Guilty Verdicts against Devin L. Higgs, 53, of West Orange, New Jersey, on The Charges of Two Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault, For Causing Bodily Injury; Four Counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; One Count of Second Degree Hindering Apprehension; One Count of Second Degree Official Misconduct; and One Count of a Disorderly Persons Offense of Simple Assault.

     Sentencing in the matter has been Scheduled for April 12, 2024, before The Honorable Patrick Arre, Judge of The Essex County Superior Court, at which time Higgs will Face up to Eighty-Years in New Jersey State Prison.

     The Conviction stems from an Incident, when on February 15, 2018, Higgs brought his son to the Hospital for Injuries that Higgs said was due to a Fall. At that time Higgs was actively Employed as an East Orange Police Officer.

     Doctors at The Hospital found that the Boy had 22 Fractures on his Ribs and a Fractured Scapula, among numerous other injuries, according to Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Saraiva. The Child had Bruises, Scars, and Marks on his Body, indicative of Child Abuse. Neither Higgs nor his Son had any Explanations for his Injuries, other than vague responses that he had fallen. 

     The Boy remained Hospitalized for Six Weeks as he Battled a Severe Infection and recovered from his Broken Bones. During that time the Boy eventually disclosed to Medical Staff that his injuries were caused by his Father, who would hit him at home. He didn't tell anyone sooner, the boy said, because his Dad him not to discuss "Family Business."

     "We would like to thank the victim for his tremendous bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case," said Prosecutor Mona. "We are also grateful to the medical providers at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital who discovered the abuse, as well as the team at Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital who provided the boy with life-saving care and treatment."

     Prosecutor Saraiva said the jury returned a just verdict that will provide closure for the victim, "and which we hope sends a message that encourages victims of abuse to come forward and alerts perpetrators to the fact that they will be held responsible for their criminal conduct."

FILED UNDER: MARCH 6, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, ESSEX: