Ex-Cop In The Oranges Severely Beat His Child, Found Guilty: ECPO

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A West Orange resident who formerly worked as a police officer in East Orange has been found guilty of multiple crimes after he severely beat his young son in 2018, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Devin L. Higgs, 53, faces up to 80 years in state prison when he is sentenced on April 12.

Prosecutors said staff at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital in Livingston discovered the abuse, which included 22 rib fractures, a fractured scapula bone, bruises, scars and other marks.

Authorities said Higgs brought his son – who was 9-years-old at the time – to the hospital on Feb. 15 for injuries that he said took place after a “fall.” He was employed as a police officer in East Orange at the time.

Here’s what happened next, prosecutors said:

“Doctors found that the child had 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, among other injuries … The child also had bruises, scars and marks on his body, indicative of child abuse. Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, other than vague responses that he had fallen.”

The young boy remained hospitalized for six weeks, battling an infection and recovering from his broken bones. During that time, the boy eventually disclosed to medical staff that his injuries were caused by his father, who would hit him at home, authorities said.

The youth said he didn’t tell anyone sooner because his dad told him not to discuss “family business,” prosecutors said.

After a four-day trial, an Essex County jury found Higgs guilty of two counts of second-degree aggravated assault for causing serious bodily, a disorderly persons offense of simple assault for causing a head injury, four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second-degree hindering apprehension, and one count of second-degree official misconduct on March 1.

“We would like to thank the victim for his tremendous bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case,” said Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Saraiva.

“We are also grateful to the medical providers at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital who discovered the abuse, as well as the team at Robert Wood Johnson Children’s Hospital who provided the boy with life-saving care and treatment,” Mona said.

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