76-Year-Old Avoids Manslaughter Charges In Bergen County

Manslaughter is a serious offense in New Jersey, and it can lead to a prison sentence of up to 30 years. As a result, it makes sense to avoid penalties if at all possible. You may be able to accomplish this goal with various defense strategies in court, or your charges could be dropped before your case ever reaches court. This is what one elderly woman experienced after prosecutors dropped her manslaughter charges in Bergen County.

Investigators Admit That Crucial Evidence Was “Contaminated” 

In late April of 2025, numerous sources reported that prosecutors had dropped manslaughter charges against a 76-year-old woman in Bergen County. The case stemmed from the death of an 11-month-old infant who died under mysterious circumstances while under the woman’s supervision.

The child experienced a seizure in 2021 and subsequently died. Medical investigators subsequently tested the baby’s blood and detected a heightened level of magnesium. The defendant subsequently admitted that she gave the baby a mixture of magnesium, olive oil, and water. Authorities then concluded that the woman had caused “acute magnesium poisoning,” leading to the baby’s death.

It later became clear that the infant’s mother willingly allowed the defendant to attempt this medical treatment because the baby was sick. This was despite the fact that the elderly woman had no medical qualifications. After the baby fell into a seizure, the defendant urged the mother to call 911 – which she did.

While the mother was charged with child endangerment, the elderly woman was initially charged with the much more serious offense of aggravated manslaughter. However, investigators have now revealed that the initial blood test had been contaminated in some way, making the result unreliable. As a result, the exact cause of death for the baby was no longer clear.

This led prosecutors to drop the aggravated manslaughter charges. However, the woman will still face charges of third-degree unlicensed practice of medicine. After all, she admitted to giving the baby the mixture of magnesium, olive oil, and water. The sentence will likely be one year of probation.

It is unclear whether prosecutors discovered that the blood sample was contaminated or whether defense counsel exposed this fact. Either way, this represents a major reversal for the defendant, who now faces just 12 months of probation rather than 30 years in prison (effectively a life sentence). Her defense attorney is pushing for a fine with no probation at all.

Can a Bergen County Defense Attorney Help Me Beat Manslaughter Charges? 

A Rockland County defense attorney may be able to help if you face manslaughter charges in New Jersey. While these legal professionals can represent you in court, they may also help you convince prosecutors to drop your charges before your trial even begins. This is usually a preferable option, as it allows you to avoid criminal penalties without going through time-consuming, costly litigation. Speak with Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law for more information.

Sources: 

njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/charges/homicide4.doc

nj.com/bergen/2025/04/manslaughter-charge-dropped-in-nj-suspected-poisoning-death-of-infant.html