NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ (Somerset County) – A father is behind bars after he allegedly attempted to kill his 2-year-old child, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.
On Saturday, January 23, at around 12:38 p.m., North Plainfield police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a baby inside of a bag at a local motel. Upon arrival, officers located a male subsequently identified as Lamar S. Waller, 27, holding his biological 2-year-old female child, Robertson said.
Responding officers noticed the child was unresponsive but had a pulse with visible mucus coming from the nose and mouth. Responding medical personnel tended to the child as officers began their preliminary investigation, Robertson said.
The investigation revealed that Waller, who is a transient and staying at the motel, was observed on surveillance footage in the hallway of the motel carrying the child in a plastic bag. Waller placed the plastic bag with the child in it in front of another motel room. Subsequently some minutes later Waller retrieved the bag from the hallway with the child and attempted to return back to his hotel while being confronted by family members of the child, Robertson said.
Waller proceeded into the room where he was confronted by the child’s mother who was able to save the child by ripping open the plastic bag and initiating CPR. Simultaneously witnesses notified law enforcement who immediately responded to the scene, Robertson said.
Waller was taken into custody at the scene without incident, Robertson said.
“The child was transported to a nearby trauma hospital for emergency treatment in critical condition. The child is stable and expected to survive. The investigation is on-going and no motive has been released by authorities. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency were notified and investigating the matter,” Robertson said.
Waller was charged with first-degree attempted murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, Robertson said.
Anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Child Abuse Unit at 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2937 or via the STOPit app.
