NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti announced the arrest of Lamar S. Waller, age 27, Route 22, North Plainfield, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at approximately 12:38 p.m., North Plainfield Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a baby inside of a bag at a local motel. Upon responding, officers located a male subsequently identified as Lamar S. Waller holding his biological two-year-old female child. Responding Officers noticed the child was unresponsive but had a pulse with visible mucus coming from the nose and mouth. Responding medical personnel tended to the child as Officers began their preliminary investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the investigation revealed that Waller, who is a transient and staying at the motel, was observed on surveillance footage in the hallway of the motel carrying the child in a plastic bag. Waller placed the plastic bag with the child in it in front of another motel room. Subsequently, some minutes later Waller retrieved the bag from the hallway with the child and attempted to return back to his hotel while being confronted by family members of the child. Waller proceeded into the room where he was confronted by the child’s mother who was able to save the child by ripping open the plastic bag and initiating CPR. Simultaneously witnesses notified law enforcement who immediately responded to the scene.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that Waller was taken into custody at the scene without incident. The child was transported to a nearby trauma hospital for emergency treatment in critical condition.
The child is stable and expected to survive. The investigation is on-going and no motive has been released by authorities. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency were notified and investigating the matter.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Waller was charged with 1st degree Attempted Murder and 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Defendant Waller was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Parenti request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Child Abuse Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at (908) 769-2937 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Note: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.