Police ‘Overcome, Disturbed’ By NJ Family’s Squalid Living Conditions, Leading To Charges

LYNDHURST, NJ — A welfare check on a Lyndhurst family Sunday night after a woman was taken to the hospital ended in drug and neglect charges, officials said.

Sarafina "Sara" Gorfinkle, 37, and James Michael Wapinksy, 30, were charged with drug possession and child neglect, said Lyndhurst Police Captain Paul Haggerty on Thursday.

Police said that around 11:11 p.m. on Sunday, they conducted a welfare check of the Lyndhurst home after a relative called to say they were concerned about the children and their living conditions.

Gorfinkle already had been taken to rehab at New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus before police arrival, police said.

The children and dogs were found in filth so extreme that investigators were overcome and emotionally disturbed by what they were faced with, police said.

"Dogs were emaciated, kids were there and appeared to be unkempt," police said. "The residence was in complete disarray with malodors and dog feces all over."

Wapinsky and Gorfinkle were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, endangering the welfare of a child, and neglect of child, police said.

Wapinsky was taken to the Bergen County Jail. Gorfinkle was charged at the hospital and held there.

The town's animal cruelty officers will follow up regarding additional charges related to the animals — a husky dog and a pit bull — said Haggerty.