Doll Found Stuck To Tree With Knife Probed In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Lakewood authorities are investigating a disturbing incident where a doll was found pinned to a tree with a butcher's knife stuck through its head.

The doll was discovered just after 9 a.m. in a wooded area off Swarthmore Avenue and the incident first was reported by The Lakewood Scoop.

Witnesses directed Officer William Allen to a nearby tree that had a Raggedy Ann-type doll pinned to it the the knife through its forehead, Lakewood Police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said. Other household utensils and garbage was strewn about the area.

"Although the act is certainly disturbing in nature, there isn’t any evidence on scene to suggest that this was intended to terrorize or send a message of hate to any particular person or group," he said.

Authorities are "actively investigating the illegal dumping of household materials," he said.

The Lakewood Scoop reported the incident happened near a school but did not specify the school. Authorities were in the area for an unrelated meeting when the doll was discovered, the report said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Kevin Martin at 732-363-0200.

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Photo by The Lakewood Scoop, published with permission