NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) -- More information has come to light in the arrest of the mother of a New Jersey teen who was missing for nearly a month before being located in New York City last week.
Jamie Moore, 40, of East Orange, was charged with two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child on allegations of physical abuse and neglect Friday.
Before being found Thursday night in Harlem, her daughter, Jashyah Moore, 14, had last been seen Oct. 14 at Poppies Deli in East Orange, but never returned home. Surveillance video showed her making a purchase at the deli before she vanished.
"It appears she was a runaway," said acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II on Friday. "It appears she was more comfortable where she was."
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Officials said Jashyah Moore stayed at various places in New Jersey, but ended up at a Brooklyn shelter. But she was found in Harlem after someone apparently noticed her, although with a different hairstyle.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WABC, Jamie Moore is accused of stabbing her daughter in the shoulder with a steak knife, spraying her in the face with bleach and hitting her with objects including a frying pan and a Febreze can.
Jamie Moore is also accused of hitting Jashyah with hangers and a broom handle, and putting her knees on her neck, blocking her ability to breathe. Jashyah’s mother was also accused of educational neglect, because Jashyah was apparently not enrolled in school this year and her mother forced her to log out of online school previously.
Jashyah’s mother also allegedly forced her to panhandle to bring in money.
Prosecutors said after Jashyah left home, her mother apparently berated her to find a lost debit card. Jashyah reportedly told detectives if she didn't find it, that her mom "would beat her and leave her all bruised up."
Jamie Moore had told WCBS in the past that she believed her daughter was kidnapped, and did not run away.
Jashyah and Jashyah’s 3-year-old brother are currently being cared for by the state’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency.