Shamong Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in 1-Year-Old's Death

A Shamong man charged with killing his girlfriend’s 1-year-old foster child in Cinnaminson in February pleaded not guilty to murder Thursday in Superior Court.

Steven Donaldson, 29, was indicted in May on the murder charge, stemming from the death of Claudia Nunes on Feb. 12. Authorities said Donaldson was caring for the toddler—who had celebrated her first birthday the day before her death—while his girlfriend was at work. Just before 8 p.m., he allegedly placed a 911 call and told the dispatcher the girl had stopped breathing. Law enforcement and emergency medical technicians were unable to revive her.

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

Donaldson’s attorney, Craig Mitnick, entered the not guilty plea before Judge Charles Delehey Thursday, maintaining that the girl’s death was an accident, according to the Burlington County Times.

James Ronca, Burlington County deputy first assistant prosecutor, said Donaldson faces a maximum sentence of life-without-parole if convicted.

Ronca said the judge set a very tentative trial date of late April or early May, though that’s subject to change.

Donaldson remains free on $250,000 bail.