FROM A $1M WATERFRONT HOME TO AN OCEAN COUNTY JAIL CELL — GRANDFATHER CHARGED AFTER DEADLY BOAT CRASH

A tragic night on Barnegat Bay has now led to criminal charges against a New Jersey grandfather after a boating crash claimed the lives of his two young grandchildren.

Stephen Schneider, 64, of Bayville, voluntarily surrendered to authorities on August 14 and was taken into custody at the Ocean County Jail.

 THE CRASH THAT CHANGED A FAMILY FOREVER

The tragedy happened on July 19, when Schneider was operating a 30-foot Tidewater boat in Barnegat Bay.

According to authorities, the vessel struck an Intracoastal Waterway channel marker at around 9 p.m.

The impact threw Schneider’s grandchildren, 9-year-old Mya Bella Golabek and 7-year-old Sigmund “Siggy” Paul Golabek, into the water.

Schneider and his wife pulled the children from the water and brought them to shore.

Both children were taken to a hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

 NOW COMES THE CRIMINAL CASE

New Jersey State Police say Schneider was impaired by alcohol while operating the boat.

He now faces:

Two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide/death by vessel

Operating a vessel under the influence

Reckless operation of a vessel

Schneider has not been convicted of these charges and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

THE $1 MILLION HOME

Public records cited in reporting show Schneider lives in a waterfront home in Bayville valued at approximately $1 million.

That detail has drawn attention because it sharply contrasts with where he is now: an Ocean County jail cell awaiting a future court hearing.

But the property value is ultimately secondary to the human cost of the crash.

Two children are gone.

Their family is left to deal with a loss that cannot be reversed.

 REMEMBERING MYA AND SIGMUND

The siblings were remembered by their family as extremely close.

Their obituary described them as best friends who shared laughter, adventures and countless memories.

Mya was remembered for her love of sports, swimming, crafting and drawing.

Sigmund enjoyed sports, baseball, basketball, swimming and spending time with family and friends.

QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN

The criminal investigation will now have to establish exactly what happened aboard the boat that night and how Schneider’s alleged impairment contributed to the collision.

Authorities have also emphasized boating safety following a series of deadly crashes in the area.

For the family, however, the central fact is much simpler:

Mya was 9.

Sigmund was 7.

And a summer evening on the water ended with two children never making it home.

TWO CHILDREN LOST.

 ONE BOAT CRASH.

 FOUR CRIMINAL CHARGES.

 AND A CASE THAT WILL NOW PLAY OUT IN COURT.

Independent commentary based on publicly reported information and police records. Stephen Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.