A mother and grandmother from Cape May are facing charges in connection with an investigation that began when a child arrived at school with marks made by an electric shock collar for dogs, authorities announced Friday.
Kimberly Cruz-Feliciano, 30, and Sonia Feliciano, 59, who both live on Broad Street in Cape May, were arrested following an investigation by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Cape May City Police Department.
The investigation was launched on March 17 after a report was made that a child arrived at school with visible marks on their body.
Further investigation revealed that the marks on the child were made by an electric shock collar for dogs, prompting immediate action from law enforcement, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said in a news release.
During the investigation, authorities learned that Cruz-Feliciano threatened even more violence if her child disclosed the abuse, according to the release.
Cruz-Feliciano has been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of witness tampering with threat of force and one count of hindering. She is in custody at the Cape May County Correctional Center pending further court proceedings.
Sonia Feliciano, the maternal grandmother of the child, was charged with one count of hindering and one count of tampering with evidence. She was released on a summons pending court proceedings.
“This case highlights the ongoing dedication of our law enforcement agencies to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Sutherland said. “We take all allegations of child abuse with the utmost seriousness, and we will continue to ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held fully accountable under the law.”
Sutherland urged anyone who has more information about the case to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 609-465-1135 or submit an anonymous tip through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.
