Man Reportedly 'Person Of Interest' In NJ Woman's Disappearance

NEW JERSEY – A New Jersey man who been charged with possession of child pornography reportedly is a "person of interest" in a Monmouth County woman's disappearance. The woman's parents have also made a plea for her return to safety.

John Ozbilgen, 29, of Freehold Township was arrested at his home Friday and charged with one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child - possession of child pornography, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Stephanie Parze, 25, of Freehold Township, who has been missing since Oct. 30, entered into a relationship with Ozbilgen Aug. 19, according to a post on Parze's Facebook account. Ozbilgen identified himself as John Oz on Facebook, according to The Asbury Park Press.

Charles Webster, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, told Patch that Ozbilgen's arrest on child porn charges was "completely unrelated" to Parze's disappearance. But NBC4 and ABC7 reported that Ozbilgen nonetheless is a "person of interest" in the Parze case.

If convicted of the third-degree child-porn charges, Ozbilgen faces a sentence of up to five years in a New Jersey state prison.

Ozbilgen is currently being detained in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township pending a detention hearing to be scheduled next week in Superior Court.

Authorities have expanded their search to two states for Parze. Her mother has made a plea for help as police have sought to reassure that the public is safe.

The search for Parze has extended to Staten Island, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. Investigators were seen on Monday night searching alongside the NYPD in a remote section of Staten Island, according to PIX11.

Police, meanwhile, said they wanted to assure people that they do not believe there is a threat to the general public.

"We want to assure everyone we are doing everything possible to locate her at this time," the Freehold Township Police Department said in a statement. "We appreciate any and all tips that have been offered thus far in the investigation."

Parze disappeared after a night out with her family in New Brunswick, PIX11 said. "We had the best night. It was like the perfect night. Everybody had such a great time," Parze's mother told the station.

Her sisters and parents are worried and now fear the worst, according to PIX11. "She's my life. She's my baby and she's my oldest daughter. We're so close," her mother said

Investigators found the woman's car, cell phone and dog, Jazmine, at her home, and there was no sign of struggle, officials said.

The prosecutor's office is asking anyone who has information about Parze or her whereabouts to contact Detective Shawn Murphy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160, ext. 7032, or Detective Daniel Valentine of the Freehold Township Police at 732-462-7908.