ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – Police say three Sussex County residents face a new charge after a 1-year-old was found dead inside an Andover Township home earlier this month.
Julie Taylor, 48, Stephen M Dagis, 52, and Sarah Vanderbilt, 34, all from Andover Township were each additionally charged on Aug. 29 with second-degree reckless manslaughter, police said.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, at 10:16 a.m., police received a 911 call reporting a deceased 1-year-old at a residence on Lake Iliff Road. Responding officers confirmed the infant had been dead for an undetermined amount of time, police said.
During the course of the investigation, controlled dangerous substances and drug paraphernalia had been observed in the residence. Additionally, evidence had been removed from the residence and relocated off the property, police said.
Following the week long investigation, police charged Taylor and Dagis with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree hindering apprehension, third-degree possession of CDS, fourth-degree obstructing administration of law, fourth-degree tampering with evidence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Vanderbilt was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of CDS, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three are currently lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility awaiting a Superior Court appearance in Sussex County, police said.
The Andover Township Police Department was assisted by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Sussex County Sheriff Department K9 unit, New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit and the Newton Police Department.
