Charges Filed in Connection with Infant Left in Hot Vehicle

Published on August 01, 2024

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and East Hanover Police Chief Christopher Cannizzo announce charges have been filed in connection with the July 17, 2024 death of a six-month-old infant in East Hanover.

On July 17, 2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers from the East Hanover Police Department responded to a parking lot in the area of South Ridgedale Avenue on Route 10 for a 911 call of a pediatric patient in a parked vehicle. Paramedics attempted to render lifesaving aid to a six-month-old female infant. The infant was subsequently pronounced deceased at the hospital. The investigation revealed that the infant was left unattended in the vehicle for approximately four- and one-half hours.

Livia Patelli, age 33, of Roseland, the infant’s mother, has been charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2). She was detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform, but was subsequently released following her First Appearance Hearing held on August 1, 2024.

The investigation was conducted by the East Hanover Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, with support from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Child Endangerment Unit.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200, or the East Hanover Police Department at 973-887-0432. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.