In Wake Of Icy Ocean-Jump Dare, State Senator Aims To Expand Protections For Adults With Disabilities

In the wake of the story about a Howell man with autism who jumped into the icy Atlantic Ocean on dare by two men who then laughed and took cell phone videos, a local state senator has vowed to do something about it.

Sen. Robert Singer, whose 30th District includes Howell, announced Friday in a news release that he will introduce legislation to expand legal protections for disabled adults in the wake of the incident with Parker Drake, the 19-year-old who was dared to jump from a jetty in Manasquan into the ocean in exchange for $20 and two packs of cigarettes.

According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, Drake, who is autistic and diabetic, was egged into jumping into the ocean on Feb. 25 by two acquaintances who taped the incident with their cell phone and then later posted the video online. Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said they couldn’t charge the men criminally because the conduct didn’t fall under any current state statute.

Drake’s mother, Christine Marshall, filed a disorderly persons complaint in Manasquan Municipal Court this week against Nicholas Formica, 20, and Christopher Tilton, 19, both of Howell, according to the Press report. Marshall’s complaint claims they violated the law by “endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.” The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail.

Parents of children with autism were outraged by the incident.

“This is a very troubling incident where a young man with a mental disability was taken advantage of,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “This was not a harmless prank. It was flat out wrong and could have resulted in this young man’s death. This type of abuse of a developmentally disabled person who didn’t know any better simply can’t be tolerated.”

Under Singer’s proposed legislation, the state’s current endangerment statute will be broadened to make sure it is clear it also applies to those with developmental disabilities who are influenced into taking actions that could harm themselves.

“This legislation will clear up any question in the law about whether these types of actions against developmentally disabled adults are illegal,” Singer said in the news release. “Bullying or taking advantage of anyone with a mental disability is clearly wrong and our laws should reflect that.”