Teaneck Man Facing Multiple Charges After Child Abuse Investigation in Bergen County
A 64-year-old man from Teaneck is facing several criminal charges after authorities in Bergen County said he was arrested during an investigation involving the alleged abuse and assault of a child.
According to prosecutors, Miguel Mejia was taken into custody Tuesday after investigators with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Teaneck Police Department looked into reports connected to an alleged attack on a child. Officials said the investigation began after local police alerted county investigators about the incident.
Authorities stated that Mejia was later charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree child abuse, and fourth-degree refusal to submit to DNA collection.
Prosecutors said Mejia allegedly refused to provide a DNA sample after being taken into custody, despite officials saying the sample was legally required under state law. The refusal resulted in an additional criminal charge being filed against him.
The accused was transported to the Bergen County Jail Tuesday night. Jail records showed that he was released Wednesday afternoon while awaiting future court proceedings related to the case.
As of Thursday, court and jail records did not list attorney information for Mejia.
The case remains under investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit along with the Teaneck Police Department. Officials have not released additional details about the child involved or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey continue to treat crimes involving children as high-priority investigations, especially cases connected to alleged abuse or violence against minors. Charges filed in criminal complaints are accusations, and defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sources
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
Teaneck Police Department
New Jersey Court Records
