Two people have been charged in an Egg Harbor City investigation involving allegations of sexual assault against a juvenile, WPG Talk Radio reports. Darque Harvey was taken into custody on October 8, and Quadirah Rhymer was arrested five days later. The charges against them differ, with first-degree offenses listed among Rhymer’s charges.
Police search a Paulsboro home
WPG Talk Radio reports that Harvey was arrested on an active warrant by the Paulsboro Police Department on October 8. That day, Egg Harbor City Police, Paulsboro Police, and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office searched Harvey’s Paulsboro home under a warrant, according to the station’s report.
The investigation concerns allegations of sexual assault against a juvenile. The report says the inquiry resulted in charges against two people, including allegations involving child exploitation.
A second arrest followed the search
Investigators sought a warrant for Rhymer after the search, according to the report. She was not at the Paulsboro residence when it was searched.
Rhymer was arrested on October 13, five days after Harvey. The report says she was lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
The charges against each defendant
Harvey faces three charges, the station reports: second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; a second-degree count of endangering the welfare of a child for photographing or filming a child in a prohibited sexual act; and a third-degree endangering charge involving child sexual abuse or exploitation material.
Rhymer faces three charges, according to the report: first-degree aggravated sexual assault; second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; and a first-degree endangering charge tied to causing or permitting a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act for recording or portrayal.
New Jersey’s child-protection process
New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families says its State Central Registry receives child-abuse and neglect reports 24 hours a day and forwards reports requiring a field response to a local Child Protection and Permanency office for investigation. That general process does not establish which agencies or steps were involved in this case, according to the department.
The charges remain accusations, and both Harvey and Rhymer are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
