New Jersey parents charged with child endangerment for holding party with around 50 guests

LAKEWOOD, N.J. – A township couple is facing charges after police had to disperse between 40 and 50 people, including their children, who were outside their home Sunday despite a state ban on such gatherings, authorities said.

Eliezer and Miriam Silber were both charged with endangering the welfare of their five children, who were present at the time, according to a news release issued by the Lakewood Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Eliezer Silber also was charged with violating the executive order Gov. Phil Murphy signed March 21 that bans social gatherings such as weddings, parties and celebrations because of the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities did not say why the crowd was there.

Police reported breaking up three other gatherings here in the past week.

In Sunday's incident, police were summoned by a report of a gathering of people blocking the street, authorities said.

The police found dozens of people, including children, congregating in the street and on the front lawn of the Silbers' residence, authorities said.

“As I have previously stated, it is my sworn duty to protect all of the residents of Ocean County. That obligation applies across the board,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.

“My office will prosecute any individual who defies or breaks the law, State of Emergency or otherwise. Everyone must respect and follow the law,” Billhimer said.

Follow Shannon Mullen on Twitter: @MullenAPP

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Coronavirus: New Jersey couple get child endangerment charge for party