2-year-old drowns in neighbor's pool in Berkeley Township

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the drowning death of a 2-year-old girl who was found floating in a neighbor's in-ground pool in Berkeley Township. Neighbors have identified the

News 12 Staff

Aug 19, 2015, 3:32 AM

Updated 3,185 days ago

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2-year-old drowns in neighbor's pool in Berkeley Township
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the drowning death of a 2-year-old girl who was found floating in a neighbor's in-ground pool in Berkeley Township.
Neighbors have identified the child as Maddigan McCarthy. Prosecutor spokesman Al Della Fave says that the girl somehow got outside her home, went through an opening in the fence and wandered into the neighbor's pool.
Both of the child's parents, Robert Trella and Brigitte McCarthy, were home at the time, according to Della Fave. Police were called at around 8:30 p.m. Monday when the parents reported their daughter missing.
"When they checked the pool, they found the 2-year-old in the shallow end, unresponsive," says Della Fave, adding that investigators are looking closely at the condition of the fencing around the pool.
Police stayed on the scene Tuesday to keep the peace between the parents and neighbors after an apparent verbal altercation between them occurred.
Della Fave says that prosecutors are working to determine if any charges should be filed. Sources close to the investigation tell News 12 New Jersey that drugs were found inside the home.
Two other children live in the home. Child Protective Services has been called, according to officials.


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