Prosecutor: Sex assault never alleged in incident
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

Luis A. Valentin

MANALAPAN - An "unfortunate statement" is how the Monmouth County prosecutor described a news report that alleged a sexual assault upon a Manalapan minor had occurred in a development off Craig Road; an assault that law enforcement representatives say has never been alleged.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin told the News Transcript late last week that a Nov. 2 WABC-TV, New York, news broadcast that stated Manalapan police were investigating the sexual assault of a 13-year-old township girl was erroneous and that the mistake had ended up being the source of troubling rumors.

"A lot of problems arose from the false statement and the subsequent conclusions that this [investigation by law enforcement] was related to a sexual assault," Valentin said.

The prosecutor said his office is involved with the Manalapan Police Department in a joint investigation of "an alleged abduction and an alleged assault" of a Manalapan minor.

"Apparently [the incident] was initially reported as a sexual assault and certainly conclusions were drawn due to that report. It is unfortunate that such a statement was made because it caused great apprehension and concern to our community," Valentin said. "Certainly there was no such statement by our office at any time and it is my understanding that statement was not made by a member of the Manalapan Police Department."

Valentin would not disclose the gender of the juvenile who had allegedly been assaulted, saying, "gender is not essential to the issue."

He said at this point in the investigation, "there appears to be no imminent danger to anyone as it relates to this incident. This appears to be an isolated incident."

Valentin said although parents need not worry about their children's safety as circumstances relate to this alleged incident, they still should "exercise their care and judgment as it relates to their children."

Said the county's top law enforcement official, "If I thought the community needed to know about a safety issue, in my official capacity, I would certainly do that."

Valentin said the Manalapan Police Department will continue to step up patrols in the Craig Road area where the alleged incident was reported to have occurred if for no other reason than there was an allegation of a serious crime.

"Stepped-up patrols are to ensure the police presence is at an optimum level. As prudent and responsible public servants, it behooved the Manalapan police to respond to the needs of the community through policing and thorough investigative work," he said, adding that police and personnel from his office are "investigating to determine who could have been responsible."

"This case, like any other reported crime, is being investigated and evaluated by our office and the Manalapan police because it is alleged to have occurred in Manalapan," Valentin said.

As to a complaint made by one resident who said the police were not forthcoming with information for the public regarding the alleged incident, Valentin said, "Citizens should know we have absolute confidence in the Manalapan police. They are doing an excellent job. I have personally witnessed the work of the dedicated professionals there."

Valentin said once conclusions in the investigation have been made and can be released, he will see to it that the details of the matter will be made available to the public.

A staffer in the WABC-TV newsroom told the News Transcript the initial report of the incident in Manalapan came from a paging service. He said the description of what may have been initially reported as a sexual assault is what led the station to dispatch a helicopter to the scene and report that police were conducting an investigation. He had no additional information beyond that.