Prosecutor Releases Disturbing New Details in Case of Burned Newborn

The 22-year-old South Jersey woman who allegedly set her baby on fire in the middle of the road on Friday night did so shortly after giving birth, with the umbilical cord still attached, authorities said.

Physical evidence at the scene indicates the placenta also was still attached to the newborn baby when Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier allegedly set her on fire, according to the probable cause statement provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

The baby was also wrapped in a towel and papers, according to the BCPO. She died of smoke inhalation, and did not yet have a name.

An investigation of Dorvilier’s Rutgers Avenue home also revealed a trail of blood from the front door to her driveway, and Dorvilier was bleeding or “spotting” at the hospital following the Pemberton incident, authorities said.

However, her mother and sister told police they were unaware of Dorvilier having given birth that night, or being injured.

Dorvilier lives with her mother Juana Sully and her sister Joennah Dorvilier, authorities said. They named the baby Angelica on Tuesday night, according to the Burlington County Times.

They said they were unaware she was pregnant, and they are angry with themselves, according to the report.

Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier made her first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon, at which time the judge mandated that she must undergo psychiatric evaluation if she makes bail, according to the report.

She has no previous criminal history, and her bail remained at $500,000 with no 10 percent option, according to the report.

Officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department were dispatched to Simontown Road just before 11 p.m. after a resident called to report the fire in the road.

Upon arrival, police found Dorvilier being held on the ground by Simontown Road resident David Joseph, who had confronted her about the fire, authorities said.

Dorvilier allegedly had a can of WD-40 lubricating spray and a lighter in her jacket pocket. A green Land Rover was also parked on the scene, with the keys outside the SUV, sitting on the ground, authorities said.

Joseph told police he had a problem with illegal dumping in the area recently, and initially thought this might be related.

When he confronted Dorvilier, she said her dog had pooped in her car and she was burning it, authorities said.

After Joseph and his wife protested, Dorvilier promised to put the fire out. When she doused the fire with water, the baby began to cry, authorities said.

Dorvilier attempted to run, and Joseph caught her and held her down while his wife called the police, authorities said.

As he was holding her down, she told him, “It’s not my baby,” authorities said.

Dorvilier was detained on the scene and charged with one count of murder.

Police also interviewed two additional residents of Simontown Road, who reported they had driven between the SUV and the object on fire, and identified Dorvilier as the person who was sitting in the SUV.

Dorvilier had options for dealing with an unwanted baby under New Jersey’s Safe Haven Law.

Under the law, she could have anonymously dropped the baby off at a police station or hospital.

The law states “the parents or someone acting on their behalf can bring a baby less than 30 days old to any hospital emergency room or police station. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families will take the infant into custody and place the infant with a foster or pre-adoptive home.”

The Pemberton Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are conducting a joint investigation of the incident.

The United Methodist Church in Browns Mills will host a candlelight vigil for the baby at the church, 2 Pemberton Browns Mills Road, on Wednesday night, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Donations to the family can also be made through the church. They can be sent to:

BMUMC
2 Pemberton, Br. Mills.Rd
Browns Mills, NJ 08015

All donations will go through the pastor, who will contact the funeral home and family.

For more on the vigil or the donations, visit the Candlelight Vigil for Angelica Facebook page.

The attached image of Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

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