Camp Counselor from Teaneck Moves to Trial in Molesting Case of Three Children at Tenafly Day Camp

Camp Counselor from Teaneck Moves to Trial in Molesting Case of Three Children at Tenafly Day Camp

By Mary K. Miraglia

HACKENSACK, N.J. (April 17, 2017) — An 19-year old Teaneck man accused of molesting three children at a Tenafly day camp is moving toward trial.

Eliyahu Schudrich of Midwood Road appeared in court Monday, April 17 with his defense attorney, Anthony Iacullo of Clifton, before Judge Frances A. McGrogan.

Monday’s action involved setting a “motion calendar” which establishes dates for filings, and also the dates of hearings. Iacullo said he would be filing five separate motions, one for missing or destroyed evidence of the interview of a critical witness.

Iacullo also raised the question of Division of Youth and Family Services records, but McGrogan said she had already signed an order for all records and “They are exactly what the state has.” He is also trying to locate a Spanish speaking investigator who participated in interviews, and “may be a Tenafly police officer.”

Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Kim Capers of the Special Victims Unit said she would present a motion for a “fresh complaint.” That concerns statements a victim or victims may have made to others at the time of the assaults, and requires a decision by a judge to admissibility because it is essentially hearsay evidence that would normally be excluded. There is an exception to the hearsay rule for fresh complaints in sex assault cases.

McGrogan ruled that both sides must file their list of motions with her by May 1. Each side will respond and cutoff for filing the motions will be June 19. Iacullo will submit a report for an expert witness by May 22.

The judge will heard the fresh complaint motion June 23 at 1:30 p.m. and will rule then on anything that can be concluded.

Schudrich was two months shy of his 17th birthday between June and July, 2014 when prosecutors say the alleged incidents took place against the boys attending the Neil Klatskin Day Camp at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. Another camp employee witnessed inappropriate behavior by Schudrich and reported it, prosecutors said at the time.

He is charged with six second degree offenses, each of which could carry a sentence of five years if he is convicted in a trial. Three charges are for impairing or debauching the morals of children by sexual conduct and three, for sexual assault by sexual contact. He is accused of touching the penises or masturbting each of the three children for sexual gratification. The boys were six and seven years old.