GRIEVING FATHER PLEADS FOR RELEASE OF GRANDFATHER CHARGED AFTER DEADLY BOAT CRASH
GRIEVING FATHER PLEADS FOR RELEASE OF GRANDFATHER CHARGED AFTER DEADLY BOAT CRASH
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — In an emotional development at a New Jersey court hearing, the father of Mya Golabek, 9, and Sigmund “Siggy” Golabek, 7, pleaded with a judge to release their grandfather, Stephen Schneider, who is facing charges in connection with the fatal Barnegat Bay boat crash that claimed the children’s lives.
Schneider, 64, was granted release by Judge Wendel Daniels on Aug. 19 after his attorney presented a heartfelt letter from the children’s father, Sigmund Golabek.
The request came despite prosecutors arguing that Schneider was significantly impaired by alcohol when the crash occurred.
A FATHER ASKED THE COURT TO LET HIM GO HOME
According to the letter read in court, Sigmund described Schneider as a loving grandfather and an important part of the family’s life.
The grieving father said Schneider had always supported the family and expressed gratitude for the relationship he had with Mya and Siggy.
The defense attorney told the judge that both of the children’s parents were asking for Schneider’s release because they were grieving and wanted him with the family.
“They are still grieving, judge. And they need him out,” attorney William Cunningham argued during the hearing.
The family’s position stands in striking contrast to the prosecution’s request that Schneider remain in custody while the case proceeds.
PROSECUTORS SAY SCHNEIDER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED
The July 19 crash occurred in Barnegat Bay, after Schneider was operating his boat following a family dinner.
According to prosecutors, Schneider’s blood-alcohol concentration was approximately 0.16, twice New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08.
Prosecutor Kate Burke argued that the level demonstrated the degree of impairment Schneider allegedly chose to operate the vessel with.
The defense, however, said it plans to have Schneider’s blood-alcohol evidence independently examined.
HOW THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDED
The families had gathered for dinner at MJ’s Restaurant in Bayville on July 19.
Afterward, Mya and Siggy reportedly decided to ride back to their grandparents’ home on Schneider’s boat rather than return with their parents.
Schneider was operating a roughly 28-foot Tidewater 280 when it struck a wooden channel marker at approximately 9 p.m.
The impact threw both children into the water.
Schneider and his wife retrieved them and attempted CPR before the children were transported to a hospital, where they later died.
Both children had reportedly been wearing life jackets.
SCHNEIDER FACES SERIOUS CHARGES
Schneider has been charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide, along with charges related to operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation.
The homicide charges are second-degree offenses.
Prosecutors therefore argued that the circumstances warranted keeping Schneider in custody.
The defense countered that he had suffered injuries in the crash and that his family needed him during the grieving process.
THE DEFENSE ALSO QUESTIONS THE EVIDENCE
Schneider’s attorney has indicated that the defense intends to investigate several aspects of the crash.
Among the questions raised is whether the channel marker was properly illuminated that night.
The defense also wants an independent expert to review the blood-alcohol evidence.
Those issues have not been resolved, and Schneider remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
THE CHILDREN WERE REMEMBERED AS BEST FRIENDS
Mya and Siggy were siblings who shared a particularly close relationship.
Their obituaries described them as “not only brother and sister, but best friends”, remembering the laughter, adventures and memories they shared.
Mya was remembered for her love of sports, swimming, drawing and crafts.
Siggy enjoyed baseball, basketball, swimming and spending time with friends and family. The siblings also loved their dogs, Tequila and Captain.
Their deaths have devastated both sides of the family.
A PAINFUL POSITION FOR THE CHILDREN’S PARENTS
The case presents an extraordinary emotional conflict.
The children’s parents lost their only two children in the crash, yet their father has publicly asked the court not to keep the children’s grandfather behind bars.
That does not resolve the criminal allegations against Schneider.
Instead, it highlights the deeply personal nature of the case: the man accused of causing the crash is also someone the children’s parents describe as a loving member of their family.
Schneider is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 15.
For Mya and Siggy’s parents, the tragedy has already taken away the two people they loved most. Now, they are asking the court not to take away another member of their family while the legal process continues.
