FROM DINNER AT A BAR TO A JAIL CELL: THE FINAL HOURS BEFORE A DEADLY BARNEGAT BAY BOAT CRASH

BARNEGAT BAY, NEW JERSEY — What began as a family night out ended in tragedy when a late-night boat ride turned deadly, leaving two young children dead and their grandfather facing serious criminal charges.

According to prosecutors, 64-year-old Stephen Schneider was operating his 30-foot boat on Barnegat Bay after a family dinner when the vessel struck a channel marker in the darkness.

The collision sent his two grandchildren, 9-year-old Mya Golabek and 7-year-old Sigmund “Siggy” Golabek, into the water.

Both children were eventually recovered and rushed for emergency medical treatment, but neither survived.

THE NIGHT BEGAN WITH A FAMILY DINNER

The family had reportedly gathered earlier that evening at MJ’s Restaurant Bar & Grill before heading out on the water.

Schneider later took the boat onto Barnegat Bay at night.

Prosecutors allege that he had been drinking and was significantly impaired while operating the vessel.

The boat was traveling through dark waters when it struck a wooden channel marker.

The impact sent the two children overboard.

Family members pulled the children from the water and emergency crews responded, but both were unresponsive when rescued.

Their deaths transformed a family outing into a devastating tragedy.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE SCHNEIDER WAS INTOXICATED

The investigation quickly centered on Schneider’s alleged impairment.

Prosecutors have accused him of operating the boat while under the influence and have filed serious charges in connection with the children’s deaths.

Schneider is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances leading up to the crash, including the family’s movements that evening, Schneider’s alleged alcohol consumption and the operation of the boat.

A MOTHER LOSES BOTH CHILDREN

The tragedy has devastated the children’s mother, Jennifer Golabek.

Mya and Sigmund were her only children, making the loss especially devastating for the family.

What had begun as a routine family gathering ended with two children dead and their grandfather facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.

For relatives, the criminal case will now unfold alongside an unimaginable period of grief.

THE QUESTIONS INVESTIGATORS MUST ANSWER

Authorities will have to establish exactly what happened between the family’s dinner and the moment the boat slammed into the channel marker.

How much had Schneider consumed?

How fast was the boat traveling?

Could the collision have been prevented?

And did his alleged impairment directly contribute to the children’s deaths?

Those questions will become central as the prosecution builds its case.

One family dinner. One nighttime boat ride. One devastating collision—and two children who never made it home.

The criminal case will now determine what responsibility, if any, Schneider bears for the tragedy that followed.