By: Tracie Carter
In a court ruling, an Essex County jury has found ex-East Orange Police Officer Devin L. Higgs guilty of several charges, including aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of his nine-year-old son.
The verdict came after a harrowing case of physical abuse was unveiled by prosecutors.
Back in February 2018, Higgs, 53, from West Orange, initially claimed his son's severe injuries, which led to a hospital visit, were the result of a fall.
However, medical examinations quickly contradicted this narrative, revealing the child had 22 rib fractures, a fractured scapula, and numerous bruises and scars consistent with child abuse.
With no credible explanation for the injuries, the child remained hospitalized for six weeks, during which he bravely disclosed to the medical staff that the injuries were inflicted by his father through beatings at home, under the threat of keeping "family business" a secret.
The trial, presided over by Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre, concluded on March 1, 2024, after four days of testimony.
Higgs was convicted on multiple counts, including two of second-degree aggravated assault, one disorderly person's offense of simple assault, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of hindering apprehension, and one count of official misconduct.
The former officer now faces a maximum sentence of 80 years in New Jersey State Prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 12, 2024.
Assistant Prosecutors Meredith Mona and Victoria Saraiva lauded the young victim's courage in testifying against his father.
They also expressed gratitude towards the medical teams at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital for their role in uncovering the abuse and providing life-saving care.
Mona and Saraiva hope the verdict not only brings closure to the victim but also serves as a powerful message encouraging other abuse victims to come forward while warning abusers of the consequences of their actions.