Police Arrest Father for Alleged Child Endangerment, Assault

ARTICLE SET TO DO NOT PUBLISH BECAUSE CASE DISPOSITION RESULTED IN DISMISSAL
WILDWOOD CREST – Wildwood Crest Officers P/0 Jonathan Greene and Sgt. Rick D’Amico were called to a Pacific Ave. address on a reported domestic disturbance May 18 at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Upon arriving, officers found a female victim with injuries to her chest, neck, and eye. The victim reported that her 3-month-old child was taken from her, by the child’s biological father and accused, Richard Rutherford III of West Cape May. Rutherford was stopped in his vehicle a short distance from the altercation and found to have the child with him, not properly secured in a child safety seat.
The child was not harmed nor injured.
The victim was treated at the scene by Wildwood Crest Rescue and was not transported to the hospital.
Detective Mark Tomlin assisted in the investigation, securing a statement from the victim.
Wildwood Crest Municipal Court authorized the charges of simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child and set bail in the amount of $25,000.
Rutherford was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center after failing to post bail.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.