A man from Barnegat
suspected of abusing his 6-year-old son, who
died two weeks after the alleged incident, is awaiting a detention hearing
as the boy’s mother held a rally outside the courtroom this morning.
Bre Micciolo, the
mom of Corey, organized the rally on a
Facebook page she set up in memory
of her son. More than a dozen supporters
stood out this morning holding signs reading ‘Justice for Corey.’
Prosecutors
say Christopher
Gregor, 29, allegedly abused the boy back on March
20. On April 2, Gregor took him to a hospital, where he died. Micciolo,
says an autopsy showed he died from a heart contusion.
Micciolo says it was all part of a two-year
pattern of abuse. She says Gregor would often return from a visit with his
dad with bruises and scrapes, and that he showed fear when he was
supposed to visit him next.
Gregor allegedly forced the child to run on a
treadmill, even after he fell off, because he thought the child was fat.
Micciolo says she called for help numerous times and that the courts let
her down.
“I called Child Protective Services
about 100 times over the last two years,” says Micciolo. “I reported it to
them. I called the police. I went to court, my order was denied to protect my
son. That happened the day before he passed, they denied my order to give me
temporary full custody."
Gregor turned himself in to Barnegat Township police Friday
after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Speaking with
defense attorneys, the expectation is that the hearing will be adjourned until
Friday.
News 12 spoke with Mario Gallucci, the attorney representing Gregor. He says, “Mr. Gregor was given full legal and
physical custody on 1/28/20 over the child’s mother because the Court at that
time found her to be unable to care for the child. Although we are aware of an
incident that occurred on March 20, 2021 our
investigation reveals no link between the tragic death of the infant and the
3/20 incident. As a matter of fact, immediately prior to the infant’s death he
was visiting with the mother and it was my client who took the infant to the
emergency room after the infant was returned to him from the mother. The child
was taken to the emergency room because he was lethargic and not eating which
prompted Mr. Gregor to take the child to the hospital. Our Medical Examiner
Expert will be reviewing the ME report and when appropriate we will reveal his
opinion. I believe once the truth is revealed in this case, as to the
relationship the mother and her family had with this child, my client will be
completely vindicated."
Prosecutors say the boy's death remains under
investigation.