Investigation Launched After Lakewood Infant Found Dead in Minivan

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, authorities reported the discovery of an infant deceased inside a vehicle on Fifth Street in Lakewood, New Jersey, situated between Monmouth and Princeton Avenues.

According to the Asbury Park Press, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer verified that the baby had been declared deceased. Emergency Medical Services attempted to revive the child; however, Mayor Raymond Coles stated that the infant was ultimately pronounced dead.

Lakewood Police Captain Gregory Staffordsmith indicated that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office would be issuing a statement regarding the incident and directed all inquiries to them.

As of now, the prosecutor’s office has not provided any information concerning the circumstances of the death.

The section of Fifth Street where the child was discovered reopened on Tuesday evening after being temporarily closed by authorities to facilitate the investigation. As of early Tuesday evening, officers from the Lakewood Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office remained present at the location.

Police tape cordoned off a Toyota Sienna minivan parked in the area, which consists of both single-family homes and multi-family apartments. The minivan was subsequently observed being towed away from the site shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday.