Camden boy, 9, terrorized by beatings dies

Camden police were called to Jamarr Cruz's home seven times between the day his mother's boyfriend whipped him with a belt in 2007 and Tuesday, when the 9-year-old died from a more brutal beating.

On Dec. 18, 2007, Vincent Williams, 26, was arrested inside Cruz's home at 216 Ablett Village and charged with child endangerment. Court documents show that Williams used "excessive corporal punishment" by striking the boy with a belt and leaving marks and bruises on his back and hands.

Camden police declined to elaborate on the seven visits they paid to the home afterward, but the first, on Jan. 4, 2008, was for a domestic issue. Police would not say if anyone was arrested during that call or others, but court documents show that Williams was in custody from Jan. 21, 2008, to Feb. 1, 2008.

Police also visited the home on the following occasions:

* April 4, 2008: report of an accident.

* June 26, 2008: crime.

* Oct. 13, 2008: crime.

* Feb. 11, 2009: Two visits for drug-related issues.

* March 25: Larceny/theft.

On Tuesday morning, Cruz's mother, Omayra Cruz, called police after her son was unresponsive. He later died at Cooper University Hospital.

Williams, according to a probable-cause statement, admitted beating Cruz on at least 20 occasions since January of this year alone. Williams, who also admitted to hiding the abuse from others, said he punched and kicked Cruz on Monday morning because the special-needs student had unrinated on himself.

Last March, after Williams pleaded guilty to abuse and neglect for the belt-beating incident, New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services opened a case with the family. That case was closed in November.

Neighbors on Cruz's street, despite the police calls and alleged chronic abuse, said they didn't recall seeing officers at the home or suspect that Jamarr Cruz was being harmed. *