THE LAST BOAT RIDE: WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE MYA AND SIGGY WERE THROWN INTO THE DARK BAY?

Jennifer Golabek believed her father was taking her two children, 9-year-old Mya and 7-year-old Sigmund “Siggy,” out for an evening boat ride.

It was supposed to be a family outing.

Instead, it became the final night of the siblings’ lives.

HOURS BEFORE THE CRASH

According to court documents, 64-year-old Stephen Schneider had dinner at MJ’s Restaurant Bar & Grill before taking the children onto his boat.

Schneider later told investigators that he had consumed three beers during dinner.

But a blood test taken after the crash reportedly showed a 0.16% blood-alcohol concentration, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

Investigators say that level indicated significant impairment.

THEN THE BOAT ENTERED THE DARKNESS

The children were aboard Schneider’s boat as it travelled through Barnegat Bay after nightfall.

Schneider told investigators he was travelling at roughly 20 mph when he suddenly saw Channel Marker No. 39.

He said he attempted to avoid it but could not.

The boat struck the marker.

The impact sent both children into the water.

THE SEARCH IN THE DARK WATER

Schneider said he immediately began looking for the children.

He found Sigmund first and then located Mya.

Both were unresponsive.

According to authorities, the children had life jackets, and rescuers and family members attempted CPR before the children were transported for emergency treatment.

Despite those efforts, neither child survived. (nypost.com)

NOW THE COURT WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THE BIGGER QUESTIONS

Was the boat travelling too fast for nighttime conditions?

Was Schneider sufficiently impaired to operate safely?

Was Channel Marker No. 39 properly visible?

And could the collision have been prevented?

Those questions are now part of a criminal case in which Schneider faces two counts of reckless vessel homicide, along with boating-under-the-influence and reckless-operation charges.

For Jennifer, however, the legal questions cannot change the most painful fact.

Her children left for what was supposed to be an ordinary evening on the water.

Mya was 9.

Siggy was 7.

They never came home.

TWO CHILDREN. ONE NIGHT BOAT RIDE. A FAMILY LEFT WITH QUESTIONS THAT MAY LAST A LIFETIME.

Stephen Schneider has been charged and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The investigation and court proceedings remain ongoing.