the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Englewood NJ, a recent lawsuit filed against the City of Englewood claims city officials acted with gross negligence by hiring an after-school aide who was later charged with sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl enrolled in the program.
Lawsuit Details Alleged Failure in Hiring Practices
According to the complaint, Merle Simons, Englewood’s former Director of Parks and Recreation, bypassed formal hiring procedures by appointing a relative, Johnathan Jones, to work as an aide in the city’s aftercare program. The lawsuit asserts that Simons failed to conduct a background check or follow standard vetting protocols before allowing Jones to work with young children.
The 9-year-old victim, identified anonymously in court filings, was part of the after-school program beginning in September 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Jones sexually assaulted her multiple times between October and November 2023.
Charges Filed Against the Aide
In December 2023, Jones was charged with:
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First-degree aggravated sexual assault
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Second-degree sexual contact
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Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
As of the latest update, Jones has been found not competent to stand trial, according to the lawsuit.
Emotional and Psychological Toll on Victim
The lawsuit states the young girl is suffering from serious and permanent emotional, psychological, and physical harm as a result of the repeated assaults. It argues that Englewood officials failed in their legal and moral duty to protect children participating in the city’s programs.
The plaintiffs — the victim and her mother — are seeking compensatory and economic damages, citing gross negligence on the part of the city and Simons for placing the child in harm’s way.
City Officials Decline to Comment
Englewood City Manager Robert Hoffman has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations and lawsuit.
Community Concerns on Youth Safety Rise
This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of youth safety protocols and hiring practices in public programs across New Jersey. Community members and advocacy groups are calling for more rigorous background checks, oversight, and transparent hiring processes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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