EAST ORANGE, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A former New Jersey police officer was convicted after his son, who had been hospitalized for weeks, disclosed to medical staff that his injuries were caused by his father, who would hit him at home, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Devin L. Higgs, 53, a former East Orange police officer, was convicted of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child for physically abusing his then 9-year-old son, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Higgs, of West Orange, brought his then 9-year-old son to the hospital on Feb. 15, 2018, for injuries that Higgs said happened when his son fell.
After an examination, doctors found that the 9-year-old had 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, among other injuries, according to prosecutors.
The child also had bruises, scars, and marks on his body, which according to the indictment were indicative of child abuse. Higgs and his son didn't explain the cause of his injuries but rather responded vaguely that he had fallen.
The 9-year-old boy was in the hospital for six weeks as he had a severe infection and recovered from his broken bones, according to court documents.
While at the hospital, he eventually revealed to medical staff that his father was responsible for his injuries and that he was abused at home. He explained that he had refrained from sharing this earlier because his father had warned him not to discuss "family business."
On March 1, Higgs was found guilty of two counts of second degree aggravated assault for causing serious bodily, one disorderly persons offense of simple assault for causing a head injury, four counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second degree hindering apprehension, and one count of second degree official misconduct.
When sentenced on April 12, Higgs faces up to 80 years in state prison.
"We would like to thank the victim for his tremendous bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case," said Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona. "We are also grateful to the medical providers at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital who discovered the abuse, as well as the team at Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital who provided the boy with life- saving care and treatment."
