Clifton Woman Arrested for Aggravated Sexual Assault of 6-Year Old, Endangering Welfare of 5-Year Old

Photo Credit: Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office                                                                                                                                                                                      Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes has announced the arrest of 18-year ol Mourissa McCarthy of Clifton.  McCarthy was arrested on Saturday, February 27 after an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.

McCarthy is charged with one count of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, one count of first degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of second degree Sexual Assault, and two counts of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The Prosecutor’s Office responded to a residence in Clifton on Saturday a report of a six-year-old child being sexually abused.  Prosecutor’s Office Detectives interviewed witnesses and obtained a video depicting the incident, which took place at a residence in Clifton, in the presence of a five-year-old child.

The sentencing exposure on first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault where the victim is under the age of thirteen is twenty five years to life in New Jersey State Prison, subject to a twenty five year parole disqualifier pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act.  On first degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child it is ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act;.  On the second degree Sexual Assault it is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act.  Finally, on the third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for the pretrial detention of the defendant which will be heard before a Superior Court Judge.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident, or other incidents regarding this individual, to contact them on our tips line at    1-877-370-PCPO.