Toddler dies — NJ man left 2-year-old in ‘holding pen,’ surrounded by feces, cops say

Authorities say a New Jersey man and his then-girlfriend left a 2-year-old boy in a plywood holding pen, surrounded by animal feces and dirty diapers — leading to his death by asphyxiation.

Prosecutors say Ellyah J. Elvidge's head became stuck in a notch at the top of the board while 24-year-old Brandon Bushey and the boy's mother, 21-year-old Patricia A. Giddings, watched television in a AuSable Forks, New York home, according to a report by WCAX. Bushey has since moved to New Jersey, according to another report by the Press Republican.

Both had been charged with criminally negligent homicide, according to that report. Bushey was taken into custody Friday afternoon in Linden as a fugitive from justice, based on the warrant issued by New York state, it said.

While not the child's father, the report identified Elvidge as a "caregiver," for the boy. Bushey had reportedly moved back to New Jersey after the child's death. A conviction on the negligent homicide charge in New York carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com.

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