CAPE MAY, N.J. (TCD) — Three adults were taken into custody this month after they were accused of beating five girls, including three teens, with belts and other objects over the course of five years.
According to a statement, on Dec. 8, investigators from the Middle Township Police Department, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, and Cape May Regional SWAT team executed a search warrant at a home on Goshen Road as part of an investigation into allegations of child abuse. As a result, police arrested 71-year-old Irene Becica, 57-year-old Thomas Becica, and 45-year-old Christina VonColln, who all lived together at the Goshen Road residence.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office said they are each being charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, five counts of conspiracy, five counts of aggravated assault, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. Thomas Becica has reportedly been released from custody as he awaits his court hearing, but Irene Becica and VonColln remain behind bars at the Cape May County Regional Correctional Center.
Jail records show they are being held without bond. Irene Becica’s age on her inmate page is listed as 67 years old.
The arrest affidavit cited by NJ.com accuses Irene Becica, Thomas Becica, and VonColln of hitting and beating the five juveniles with items including fly swatters, paddles, belts, and back scratchers. The victims all sustained bruising, cuts, and other injuries. NJ.com reports Irene Becica and VonColln allegedly used a lighter to burn one of the girls. Additionally, they purportedly gave the girls more medicine than called for, which caused them to be put into a “zombie and ghostlike” state. One of the victims reportedly tried to run away.
The affidavit says alleges the abuse and beatings occurred over five years.
Child Protection and Permanency investigators reportedly went to the home on Oct. 25 and removed two girls from the home because a case agent saw bruising on one girl’s wrist. The investigators also reportedly located some of the items used in the beatings. Three girls had reportedly already been taken out of the home by the time of the Oct. 25 visit.
New Jersey 101.5-FM, which also cites the affidavit, says the victims, who are reportedly Irene Becica’s granddaughters, range in age from 9 to 15 years old.
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