GRANDFATHER FACES UP TO 20 YEARS AFTER BEING CHARGED IN BARNEGAT BAY CRASH THAT KILLED HIS TWO GRANDCHILDREN

BAYVILLE, N.J. — A New Jersey grandfather is facing potentially decades behind bars after prosecutors charged him in connection with the nighttime Barnegat Bay boat crash that claimed the lives of his two young grandchildren.

Stephen Schneider, 64, of Bayville, is charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide/death by vessel, a second-degree offense, along with operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation of a vessel.

The charges stem from the July 19 crash in Berkeley Township, when the boat Schneider was operating struck a channel marker, throwing 9-year-old Mya Golabek and her 7-year-old brother, Sigmund, 7, into the water. Both children were taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

PROSECORS SAY SCHNEIDER’S BAC WAS TWICE THE LEGAL LIMIT

One of the most significant allegations in the case emerged during Schneider’s detention hearing.

Prosecutors said his blood-alcohol concentration was approximately 0.16%, twice New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08%.

Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Kate Burke argued that the alleged level of impairment was central to the prosecution’s case, saying Schneider chose to operate the vessel after consuming alcohol.

According to court documents reported by local media, Schneider told investigators that he had consumed three beers over about two hours while having dinner with family before the boat ride.

The defense has indicated it intends to independently examine the BAC evidence.

A FAMILY OUTING ENDED IN A NIGHTMARE

The children had reportedly been spending the evening with their family before Schneider took them aboard his boat.

The vessel was traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway in Barnegat Bay when it struck a channel marker.

The impact threw both children overboard.

Schneider and another passenger entered the water and found the children unresponsive. CPR was performed before emergency responders transported them to the hospital.

What was supposed to be a family outing ended with two children losing their lives.

THE DEFENSE IS ALREADY CHALLENGING KEY DETAILS

Schneider’s attorney, William Cunningham, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The defense has questioned whether the channel marker was properly illuminated that night and has indicated that it wants to have Schneider’s alcohol testing independently reviewed.

Those issues could become important as prosecutors and defense attorneys begin preparing for trial.

The prosecution, however, has maintained that the evidence shows Schneider operated the boat while significantly impaired.

THE CHILDREN’S PARENTS ASKED THE JUDGE TO RELEASE HIM

In one of the most emotional developments in the case, the children’s parents reportedly asked the court to allow Schneider to remain out of jail while the case proceeds.

During the hearing, Schneider’s attorney read a letter describing him as a loving grandfather who had played an important role in the children’s lives.

The judge ultimately granted Schneider conditional pretrial release.

As part of the conditions, he is prohibited from operating a boat or motor vehicle while he completes a court-ordered assessment.

That decision came despite prosecutors’ argument that he should remain detained.

THE NEXT COURT DATE IS ALREADY SET

Schneider’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 15.

The hearing will mark another important step in a case that has already raised difficult questions about alcohol, boating safety and criminal responsibility.

Schneider has not been convicted of the charges and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

THE 20-YEAR QUESTION

The reckless vessel homicide charges are classified as second-degree offenses under New Jersey law.

The maximum potential sentence associated with the two counts can reach 20 years, depending on how the charges are ultimately resolved and how any sentences are imposed.

But a potential maximum sentence is not the same as a likely sentence. The case remains in its early stages, and prosecutors still have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

TWO CHILDREN, ONE DEVASTATING NIGHT

Mya and Sigmund were just 9 and 7 years old.

Their deaths have left their family facing an unimaginable loss, while their grandfather now finds himself at the center of a criminal prosecution arising from the same tragedy.

The case will ultimately turn on what happened aboard the boat that night — including Schneider’s condition, the circumstances surrounding the channel marker and whether prosecutors can establish the legal elements of the homicide charges.

For now, one date looms over the case:

September 15.

That’s when Schneider is scheduled to return to court as prosecutors continue pursuing a case that could potentially put him behind bars for years.

A family boat ride ended with two children gone, a grandfather facing serious criminal charges, and a grieving family caught in the middle of a case that is only beginning