Frances Caso
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 48-year-old FRANCES CASO of Fort Lee, NJ on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The arrest was the result of an investigation in connection to the death of a 12-year-old child that was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Fort Lee Police Department under the direction of Chief Matthew Hintze.
As previously reported, on Saturday, May 25, 2024, the Fort Lee Police Department responded to a 911 call at approximately 3:34 p.m. reporting an unresponsive 12-year-old female at a private residence on Maple Street in Fort Lee, NJ. The juvenile was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where she was later pronounced deceased. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office was notified.
Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Narcotic Task Force, and Special Victims Unit initiated a joint investigation with the Fort Lee Police Department into the death of the child and the related drug activity. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that FRANCES CASO and three other juveniles were also present in the residence around the time of the suspected overdose. A court-authorized search of the residence revealed multiple suspected controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia used to ingest controlled dangerous substances.
As a result of the investigation, FRANCES CASO was arrested in Fort Lee, NJ and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A 2C:24-4a(2); three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A 2C:24-4a(2); two counts of third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, N.J.S.A 2C:35-10a(1); and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A 2C:36-2a. CASO was remanded to the Bergen County Jail for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
The investigation into the fatal dose of narcotics ingested by the victim is ongoing. No additional information will be released while the investigation remains underway.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Fort Lee Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this investigation.