The daughter of a 78-year-old Jersey City mother has been charged with concealing her remains after she initially refused to let police into her apartment to discover her dead body on Saturday, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Cheryl Gatling, 53, of Jersey City, has been charged with concealing human remains, possession of weapon (knife) for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon (knife), and terroristic threats, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in a statement.
On Saturday, June 26th, at approximately 8:18 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department
responded to 415 Arlington Ave. on a welfare check for one of the fourth floor occupants.
A 53-year-old woman had barricaded herself in the apartment and would not allow officers to access the unit for three hours.
At approximately 11:24 p.m., the woman opened the door and allowed the Jersey City Police Department to gain access to the apartment where they found a lifeless 78-year-old woman, presumed to be the mother of the defendant – Dorothy Gatling.
The victim was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m. and is believed to be deceased for an extended period of time. The cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner.
Additional charges may be filed pending further investigations and the findings of the medical examiner, official said.
Im soo Sad tonight, I knew the Mother Well for Years!!!!😢😢😢😢😢The Daughter Always had a Mental Problem, But was Ok with her mother For Years!!!!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😱😱😱😱😱😱I Wonder what Could have sparked Such Rage !!!!!!!!! My Condolences Go Out to the Rest of the Gatling Family on the Loss of this Beautiful Soul!!!!!!!! May She Sleep in Peace!!!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭😭