Family says NJ man charged in sex luring of minor suffers from mental illness

A Mount Holly man is charged with trying to get an underage girl to go back to his house for sex in exchange for buying her booze in Sea Isle City.

Police say the victim was able to pull herself free, and then told cops what happened.

Investigators believe 28-year-old Sayal Sawaged may have done this before, and are looking for other potential victims.

Sawaged's family, however, say he is in need of mental health assistance.

A spokesman for the family told New Jersey 101.5 on Tuesday that loved ones have been trying to get him Sawaged admitted to a facility where he can be monitored and treated. The relative said Sawaged was released from a facility in Boston in October and prescribed medication to deal with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

"When he’s on his medication, he is a totally normal person," Sawaged's relative said. "When he is off the medication, he goes through these episodes. He’ll have no idea what happened. If you get into a heated argument with him, he won’t remember any of it."

The Cape May County prosecutor said Sawaged is charged with luring, endangering the welfare of children and simple assault. Police did not say where the alleged crimes took place.

Police Chief Thomas McQuillen told The Press of Atlantic City that his officers are still actively investigating the case and trying to identify other victims. If you have any information, you are being urged to contact Sea Isle City Police at 609-263-4311.