LAKEWOOD FATHER CHARGED AFTER INFANT LEFT IN VAN DIES

A Lakewood man has been charged in the death of his 4-month-old son, who was found unresponsive in a vehicle and later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Moshe Ehrlich, 35, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the tragedy, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Lakewood police responded to a call around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday on Fifth Street, where they found emergency crews from Hatzolah Medical Services performing lifesaving measures on the infant. The child was rushed to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, Billhimer said.

Investigators determined that the baby had been left alone in Ehrlich’s vehicle for an extended period, leading to his death, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Ehrlich turned himself in at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters on Thursday morning. He is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

Billhimer noted that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

The case is being investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.