What to Know
- Nakira Griner is charged with murder and other counts in the death of her 23-month-old son, Daniel Griner Jr.
- Officials say the NJ woman first told authorities he had been kidnapped; the boy's body was found early the next morning in his mom's yard
- It's not clear if Griner has an attorney; she faces an initial court hearing Thursday
A New Jersey woman accused of killing her toddler son, then telling cops he had been kidnapped, told police she struck the boy because he wouldn't "eat nor listen to her," according to a criminal complaint.
Nakira Griner is charged with murder and other counts in the death of 23-month-old Daniel Griner Jr.
Cumberland County prosecutors have said the Bridgeton woman initially reported that her son had been abducted Friday night. A child abduction response team began a search aided by city and state police, prosecutors, and bloodhounds from New Jersey State Park Police.
The child's remains were found around 3 a.m. Saturday in his mother's yard.
Griner is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a detention hearing. It wasn't known Monday if she has retained an attorney.
A family friend told NBC10 that she was shocked by Griner's arrest. Crystal Castillo had not seen the little boy since before the holidays, and planned on stopping by Griner's house Saturday to drop off presents. Instead, she cried in shock and disbelief.
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"She is, like, the most genuine person in the whole world," Castillo said. "My kids were close with her and her kids were close with me. I just don't know what to do."
In addition to 1st-degree murder, Nakira Griner faces 2nd-degree endangering the welfare of a child, 2nd-degree desecration of human remains and fourth degree tampering with evidence charges.
It is unclear if she has retained an attorney. She is being held at the Cumberland County Jail as she awaits a detention hearing.
