Darius Matylewich
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Wayne Police Chief Jack McNiff, and New Castle County, Delaware Police Chief Joseph S. Bloch announce that based upon an investigation by the Wayne Police Department, in conjunction with the New Castle County Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Darius Matylewich, 27-yearsold, from Bear, Delaware was arrested in relation to a kidnapping investigation that took place on September 10, 2023. Darius Matylewich is charged with Kidnapping, first degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, third degree.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. on September 10, 2023, members of the Wayne Police Department responded to the area of U.S. Route 46 and Old Turnpike Road in Wayne, New Jersey on a report of a missing 11-year-old child. The Wayne Police Department located the victim soon after she was reported missing in Bear, Delaware. Based on the investigation, police determine that Darius Matylewich had met the victim while playing an online video game and transported her from Wayne, New Jersey, to Bear, Delaware, without the knowledge or consent of her parents. Members of the New Castle County, Delaware Police Department arrested Mr. Matylewich on September 10, 2023, in the area of Berwick Lane and Perth Street in Bear, Delaware, and he was subsequently extradited to New Jersey.
The sentencing exposure for first degree Kidnapping is 10 to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and on third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s office has filed a motion for pretrial detention, which will be heard by the Honorable Imre Karaszegi, Jr., J.S.C. on October 16, 2023.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877- 370-PCPO.