Authorities have charged a Roselle Park woman with endangering the welfare of a child, after she left her 2-year-old daughter unattended inside their home earlier today, announced Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park.
Murlande Colin, DOB 11/30/1986, is currently charged with 2nd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a child, said Park. Around 10a.m. on July 9, 2013 police were called to a residence after the building superintendent saw smoke coming from Colin’s apartment. Before police arrived, the superintendent entered the apartment with two nearby citizens and found the child alone in a bedroom, adjacent to a bed with an active iron smoldering atop clothing, said Park. The toddler was removed from the residence and is being treated at a local hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.
The superintendent also discovered smoldering clothes on top of a lit stove in the smoke-filled kitchen. The smoke condition and flames were quickly doused.
Authorities located Colin several miles from the apartment, in a nearby town several hours later. After questioning by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Colin was charged by the Roselle Park Police Department and is currently being held on $25,000 bail.
Prosecutor Park thanked the Roselle Park Police Department, as well as the quick thinking building superintendent, as well as the two additional citizens for their quick response in rescuing the child from the smoke-filled apartment.
This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.