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Writer's pictureKaren Brittingham-Edmond

Afternoon Tea with KBritt: Classroom Controversies, Belleplain State Forest Mysteries, Have You Seen Venika Williams and More

Dec 23, 2024

Local NJ News



Help Find Missing Newark Mom:

Venika Williams

Picture Source of Venika Williams: R.L.S. Media

Newark NJ Per an report by Richard L. Smith on December 22, 2024 of RLS Media titled "7 Years Today: The Unresolved Mystery of Newark Mother Venika Williams' Disappearance."  Seven years after Newark mother Venika Williams disappeared on December 24, 2017, the community remains in search of answers. Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved. A significant development occurred on March 3, 2023, when Asmar Earp, romantically linked to Williams, was charged with embezzling federal benefits meant for her disabled child. Earp pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on June 26, 2024. He accessed the benefits by altering the debit card PIN and continued the fraud until February 2020, using Williams' personal information to obtain a replacement card. Venika Williams, last seen heading toward Jersey City, remains missing. She is described as 5'3", 142 lbs, with brown eyes and hair, wearing a black leather coat, blue jeans, red sneakers, and carrying a red purse. A Crime Stoppers reward for information on her whereabouts has remained unclaimed since July 22, 2020. To learn more, please click the link. https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/7-years-today-unresolved-mystery-newark-mother-venika-williams-disappearance 


Preschool Teacher's Aide Charged

with Child Abuse at Wayne NJ School


Picture Source Preschool Child: Wix Media

Wayne NJ: A teacher's aide at a Wayne preschool, named Meghan Hornidge, age 19, was charged with child abuse and simple assault after allegedly injuring a toddler. Video footage reportedly shows Hornidge aggressively handling multiple children, including slamming them, with one boy suffering bruises. The CEO of Apple Montessori Schools is Andrea Vargas. Per report shared by Michelle Rotundo of the Middletown Patch on Dec 23, 2024 titled "Teacher's Aide 'Body Slammed' Several Toddlers At NJ School: Records" This incident occurred at Apple Montessori Wayne, and the case is under grand jury review. Per report, "Officials contacted the child's father, and were able to document the boy's back injuries. Both of the child's parents were told separately by staff that the boy had been "tossed around" and "attacked" at the school, court records show." The child's parents were notified about the assault, and the family might consider filing additional charges. Hornidge was dismissed from her role, and the school quickly informed both parents and authorities after the incidents occured. To learn more please click the link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/j2mao/teachers-aide-body-slammed-several-toddlers-at-nj-school-records?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81


Investigation Launched into Fatal Trenton Shooting

Picture Source "Bullets": Wix Media

Trenton NJ: The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a deadly shooting in Trenton that occurred on Sunday evening. The incident was reported around 6:50 P.M. following a ShotSpotter alert near Cooks Avenue and Winder Avenue. Officers found a male victim with gunshot wounds, who was transported to Capital Health Center and later pronounced dead. Detectives are working to uncover the circumstances, as the suspect remains at large and details are limited. The investigation continues. To learn more please click the link to Richard L. Smith of RLS News on December 23, 2024, article titled "Deadly Shooting in Trenton Under Investigation by Mercer County Prosecutor's Office." https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/deadly-shooting-trenton-under-investigation-mercer-county-prosecutors-office


Body Discovered in Refrigerator at

Belleplain State Forest


DENNIS TWP., NJ — Per a report by Veronica Flesher of the Middletown Patch on Dec 23, 2024 titled "Body Found In Fridge At NJ State Forest" shares that a deceased person was discovered inside a refrigerator at a South Jersey state forest on Sunday afternoon, as reported by the New Jersey State Police. The discovery was made shortly before 3 P.M. on December 22 in Belleplain State Forest, according to a state police spokesperson speaking to Patch. No additional information was available. Dennis Township Mayor Zeth Matucci stated on Sunday evening that state police were investigating a body found in the woods. He assured that there was no threat to the public. The investigation is still ongoing as of Monday afternoon, according to police. Belleplain State Forest covers 21,320 acres and spans areas of Cape May County and Cumberland County. It is a favored location for hiking and camping. To learn more please click the link. https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/j2m7t/body-found-in-fridge-at-nj-state-forest-police?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81


East Orange Resident Arrested for Attempted

Assault on Bloomfield Crossing Guard


Bloomfield NJ: Per a story written by Jeff Sommes of RLS Media on December 19, 2024 titled "East Orange Man Tries to Stab Crossing Guard in Bloomfield, Injured Cop"

Bloomfield Police are investigating an assault on a crossing guard that occurred on December 19. The incident took place at the intersection of Glenwood and Llewellyn Avenues. Demetrius Childs, 32, from East Orange, attempted to stab the guard with a pen but was stopped by bystanders, preventing injuries. Childs fled towards Watsessing Park but was apprehended by police after resisting arrest and trying to disarm an officer. He faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest, and is now in Essex County Correctional Facility. An officer was injured during the altercation and treated at Mountainside Hospital. To learn more please click the link to Sommes article here: https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/east-orange-man-tries-stab-crossing-guard-bloomfield-injured-cop

Echo News T.V. L.L.C. Disclosure claim:

The author did not receive external funding for this work and has no conflict of interest.



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