Man Charged in Death of Cinnaminson Girlfriend's Foster Child

A Shamong man killed a 1-year-old Cinnaminson girl who was in his girlfriend’s foster care, according to authorities.

Claudia Nunes died the day after her first birthday in February. 

Steven R. Donaldson, 29, of Wesickamen Drive, was charged with one count of murder Wednesday in the toddler's death on Feb. 12, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Donaldson was caring for Claudia in her Cinnaminson home while his girlfriend was at work, authorities said. Just before 8 p.m., Donaldson called 911 and told a dispatcher Claudia was not breathing. Law enforcement and emergency medical technicians who responded were unable to revive the toddler.

She was taken to Kennedy University Hospital in Cherry Hill, where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood concluded the cause of Claudia’s death was blunt force trauma to the head.

The 1-year-old was described in her obituary as “a snuggle bug, who sang her own song all day long.” Click here to read the rest of her obituary, printed in the Burlington County Times.

Donaldson surrendered Tuesday at the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. He was released after posting bail, which was set at $250,000, with no 10 percent option.  

The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Cinnaminson Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Information provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

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