Feb 25: Man Charged with Child Endangerment, Aggravated Assault
CAMDEN– Three year-old Elijah Joseph Ulbrich died on Wednesday afternoon at Cooper University Trauma Center in Camden from injuries sustained from an assault on Feb 25, in North Wildwood.
Ulbrich had been in a coma at Cooper since the alleged assault.
On Feb. 25, North Wildwood Police patrol officers responded to a report of an unresponsive juvenile. The child was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center, evaluated and transported to Cooper University Medical Center for treatment of a head injury.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Charles P. Kane, Jr., 35, of West New Jersey Avenue, an acquaintance of the Christina Ulbrich, the child’s mother, allegedly caused the injury.
Kane had been charged with aggravated assault on a juvenile and endangering the welfare of a minor. He has been lodged in the Cape May County jail with bail set at $100,000 since the incident.
On Wednesday an additional charge of aggravated manslaughter was added, announced Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and North Wildwood Police Chief Robert Matteucci.
Authorities also announced that bail was increased to $500,000 and there could be more charges pending an autopsy being done by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Friends & family established a Facebook page for a Beef ‘N’ Beer Benefit on March 27th to help pay for the ICU cost incurred. Family friend Joe Piccoli says they will now use the funds to pay for the 3 year-old’s funeral.
Donations can be sent to Friends of Elijah. 121 West Andrews Avenue. Wildwood, NJ 08260
