Father Forgot To Drop Baby Who Died After Being Left In Van At Daycare: Reports

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man whose 4-month-old son died after being left in a van for an extended time was supposed to have dropped the infant off at day care, according to reports.

Moshe Ehrlich, 35, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the baby's death, which happened March 18, authorities have said.

Ehrlich was supposed to drop the infant off at a babysitter's home but forgot and went to work, News 12 New Jersey reported, citing the probable cause affidavit.

Ehrlich had four of the couple's children and dropped three of them off at school, then called his wife at her job to tell her he had forgotten the milk for the baby and had to go back home, NJ101.5 reported, citing the affidavit.

After he picked up the milk, however, he drove straight to work and forgot to drop off the baby, the NJ101.5 report said.

When the infant had not been dropped off, the babysitter contacted the baby's mother saying the boy had not been dropped off, the report said, but the mother did not see the text message for more than an hour.

When the mother saw the message, she tried to reach Ehrlich, as did the sitter. A child of the sitter found Ehrlich and asked him, "Where is your baby," the NJ101.5 report said.

The boy had been alone for at least two hours and temperatures inside the van had reached the mid-90s, by the time authorities were called, the News 12 report said.

Authorities said Lakewood police were called to Fifth Street about 1:45 p.m. and Hatzolah Medical Services crews were trying to render lifesaving aid to the baby. He was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Ehrlich surrendered himself to Lakewood Township Police Headquarters two days later. He was released pending further court action under New Jersey Bail Reform rules.

Previous reporting:

• 4-Month-Old Boy Found In Minivan In Lakewood: Prosecutor
• Man Left Infant Son In Vehicle In Lakewood For Extended Time: Prosecutor