Accusations of Child Abuse or Neglect

It is not uncommon to hear about child abuse, child neglect or a sex offense involving a child on the New Jersey evening news or to read about it on NJ.com these days. Never in your wildest imagination did you ever think that you could be accused of child abuse or a sexual offense against a child, or child neglect. Unfortunately, here you are now, searching desperately for an attorney to assist you because you have been accused of just that – an offense against a child.

Victor Rotolo successfully argues before the NJ Supreme Court in a case of constitutional import, in which the Court ruled that a DUI conviction cannot be used in any later DUI case for sentencing purposes if, (1) the individual plead or was found guilty, and (2) the individual was not advised of his/her right to counsel and, as to indigent individuals, the right to assigned counsel.

Being accused of child abuse, a sexual offense involving a child, or child neglect are serious allegations. You need swift and effective legal assistance before the situation spirals completely out of control. Anthony P. Kearns, the former Hunterdon County prosecutor, Victor A. Rotolo, a former police officer and an experienced trial attorney, and the Firm's attorneys at Kearns Rotolo Law have the experience to protect your rights.

Prior to joining the Firm in January 2022 as managing partner, Anthony P. Kearns held the distinction of being the longest serving Prosecutor for Hunterdon County, having been appointed to that position for two consecutive terms. This experience gives him insight into the way the State prepares its cases, which he uses to mount powerful defenses for charges filed against his clients.

As Prosecutor, Mr. Kearns led a team of nine assistant prosecutors and approximately 30 detectives with the goal of investigating, prosecuting and preventing criminal activities within the county. During this time, he worked in partnership with other area leaders to implement community programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all Hunterdon County residents.

Mr. Kearns also served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey (1999 – 2002), Counsel to the Special Medical Guardian at UMDNJ Hospitals, Member and President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, and the NJ State Delegate to the National District Attorneys’ Association. A member of the Executive Board of the Hunterdon County Bar Association from 2005 through 2015, Mr. Kearns served as President of that Association from 2009 through 2010.

Mr. Kearns, who holds a master's in social counseling, worked as a mental health family and addiction therapist. Today, he serves as Chancellor of the Diocese of Metuchen and remains active in numerous community-focused committees and organizations.

Victor A. Rotolo has been included on the List of New Jersey Super Lawyers in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, marking his eighteenth year of inclusion on this list. The list of New Jersey Super Lawyers is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization which employs the following methodology and set of standards to compile the list each year. Super Lawyers Selection Methodology [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor A. Rotolo is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.

"A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:

• been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years
• demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law
• been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
• taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law."

Source: Supreme Court of New Jersey, Board on Attorney Certification, Brochure on Certified Civil Trial Attorney. See Rule 1:39: Specialty Certification of Attorneys.

Child Abuse

Few situations impact the quality of an individual’s life as much as being accused of a crime against a child. Sexual offenses against children, child abuse, and child neglect are serious accusations.

New Jersey State law defines child abuse as anything that impairs, or poses imminent danger of impairing, the physical, mental, or emotional condition of a child.

Physical abuse occurs when a parent or caregiver intentionally inflicts pain or bodily injury upon a child. Emotional abuse is when someone intentionally cause a child to suffer mental anguish. This can occur by frequently shouting at a child, withholding affection or kindness, calling a child names or insulting them.

Child Neglect

Neglect is a form of child abuse defined as the failure of a parent or caregiver to provide proper supervision or adequate care for the child in their charge. The four types of child neglect are:

• Physical—failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and supervision
• Medical—failure to provide medical or mental health treatment when needed
• Educational—failure to educate or make provisions for special education services if needed
• Emotional—failure to fulfill a child’s emotional needs or provide psychosocial support. Allowing a minor child to use drugs or alcohol is a form of emotional neglect.

Sex Offenses Involving a Child

In these changing times, a conversation on the Internet with someone that you ‘thought’ was much older can be viewed as Internet luring and hence punishable as a sex crime against a child. You could also be in a bitter divorce or custody dispute where false allegations are made to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

Additionally, the interpretation of a child’s description of events may be misunderstood or relayed falsely. Even though a child may later withdraw the accusations, so much damage can be inflicted – marriages broken, jobs lost, but mostly and more importantly your reputation could be tarnished beyond repair and the community trust in you as a person destroyed.

There are additional situations that are becoming more and more common these days because of diverse family arrangements. These situations involve inter-familial child sexual abuse and it includes allegations against relatives such an uncle or aunt, a grandmother / grandfather, stepparents and step siblings or even among brothers and sisters.

No group is exempt from these situations: neighbors, clergy, teachers, youth organization leaders, etc. Quite often situations can be misinterpreted especially involving relationships such as an employer/employee relationship, a juvenile correctional facility guard and an inmate, a doctor / patient., etc.

Whatever your particular situation, Kearns Rotolo Law will defend your rights. Contact Kearns Rotolo Law.