OCPO: LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED WITH STRICT LIABILITY DRUG INDUCED DEATH TO REMAIN DETAINED PENDING TRIAL

Press release from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office:

BHuntenburg

Sep 3, 2021

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 3, 2021, the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P, ordered that David Belk, 45, of Little Egg Harbor, shall remain detained in the Ocean County Jail pending trial on charges of Strict Liability Drug Induced Death in violation of  N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9a, Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3), and Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), in connection with the death of a sixteen-year-old male in Little Egg Harbor on July 3, 2021.  On August 27, 2021, Belk was apprehended in Atlantic City by the New Jersey Transit Police, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.  Belk’s co-defendant, Stephanie O’Neill, 44, also of Little Egg Harbor, was released by the court on home detention pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.  The detention hearing was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

This press release was produced by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.