Union County Man Admits Killing Infant Son: Prosecutor

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Union County father has admitted to killing his infant son nearly four years ago, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced.

Michael Bell, 39, of Plainfield pleaded guilty Wednesday to a single count of aggravated manslaughter.

Plainfield Police responded to Bell’s home on Lee Place on May 10, 2013 to find 4-month-old Zion Bell suffering from serious injuries, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bruce Holmes, who prosecuted the case.

It was found that Michael Bell struck the infant multiple times in the head, causing his injuries, Holmes said.

The day after the attack, with the assistance of NJ Transit Police and Amtrak Police, Bell was found and arrested Bell on a bus bound for Iowa that had just left Newark’s Penn Station.

Zion Bell died of his injuries at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick two days later.

A Union County grand jury returned an indictment against Michael Bell in September 2013.

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for April 21, 2017 before State Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield, at which time the State will recommend a sentence of 25 years in state prison, with 85 percent of that term to be served before the possibility of parole.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office: Michael Bell, 39, of Plainfield)

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