Crime & Safety
Nutley Tanning Mom Case Goes to Grand Jury
Patricia Krentcil was charged with endangering the welfare of her five-year-old daughter by allowing her to use a tanning salon bed.
The case against a Nutley mother accused of allowing her daughter in a tanning salon bed will be sent to an Essex County Grand Jury, confirmed a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
No date for seating a grand jury is being given, but the results of the deliberations will be released. The decision was made by Judge Michael L. Ravin, according to Katherine Carter of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
A grand jury will decide if the mother accused of endangering the welfare of her five-year-old daughter by allowing her to use a tanning salon bed will be indicted, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Offices confirmed Monday morning.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patricia Krentcil, 44 of Nutley was first charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, which is a second degree offense. If convicted, she could be jailed for up to a maximum of five years.
Nutley Police Chief John Holland said Nutley Police arrested Krentcil for endangering the welfare of her five-year-old daughter at 10:45 a.m. on April 23. Her daughter was believed to have been burned at a tanning booth at an unspecified Nutley location, according to Holland.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
She has denied the accusations in published reports. Her lawyer John V. Caruso has maintained her Krencil's innocence. Carter said Monday morning the charges will likely remain the same.
The owners of the City Tropics Tanning Salon on Centre Street have said the child never used a tanning bed, according to published reports.
Holland said that children under 14 are not allowed to tan at indoor salons, while those 14 to 17 years old may do so with signed parental consent in New Jersey.
