30 DAYS LATER: WHY WAS STEPHEN SCHNEIDER FINALLY ARRESTED? THE BAC RESULT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

For nearly a month after the July 19 boat crash that killed siblings Mya Golabek, 9, and Sigmund “Siggy” Golabek, 7, a question lingered:

WHY WAS THEIR GRANDFATHER STILL FREE?

Now, newly reported court details are shedding more light on what investigators were examining before 64-year-old Stephen Schneider was taken into custody.

THE INVESTIGATION DIDN’T END THAT NIGHT

Schneider was reportedly interviewed by investigators shortly after the crash.

But a serious criminal case can take time to develop.

Investigators may need to collect physical evidence, interview witnesses and obtain laboratory results before prosecutors determine what charges the available evidence can support.

In Schneider’s case, toxicology became a major piece of the investigation.

THE BAC RESULT

Court records reportedly show Schneider’s blood-alcohol concentration was approximately 0.16%.

That figure is significantly higher than the legal driving limit in New Jersey and is now central to allegations that Schneider was operating the boat while impaired.

Schneider has reportedly said he consumed three beers before taking the children onto the water.

Investigators allege the boat was travelling around 20 mph when it struck a channel marker in the darkness.

THEN CAME THE HOMICIDE CHARGES

Prosecutors ultimately charged Schneider with two counts of reckless vessel homicide, along with boating-under-the-influence and reckless-operation offenses.

The charges allege that his conduct contributed to the deaths of the two children.

But the BAC result is only one part of the prosecution’s case.

Investigators are also examining the boat’s speed, nighttime visibility, the channel marker and Schneider’s actions before and after the collision.

A MONTH OF QUESTIONS

For Mya and Siggy’s mother, those weeks were filled with grief while investigators continued building their case.

The arrest does not answer every question surrounding the crash.

But it does mark a major turning point.

A FAMILY LOST TWO CHILDREN.

A GRANDFATHER NOW FACES TWO HOMICIDE COUNTS.

And a July night on Barnegat Bay has become the center of a criminal investigation that will now move into court.

Stephen Schneider has been charged and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The reported BAC and other allegations are based on court and investigative records.