For Immediate Release:
May 31, 2024

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced an additional charge of aggravated manslaughter against 48-year-old FRANCES CASO of Fort Lee, NJ as a result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Fort Lee Police Department under the direction of Chief Matthew Hintze. This charge is in addition to charges brought against CASO on May 26, 2024.

As previously reported, on Saturday, May 25, 2024, the Fort Lee Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive 12-year-old female at a private residence on Maple Street in Fort Lee, NJ. The juvenile was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where she was later pronounced deceased. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office was notified.

During the course of the joint investigation, it was determined that FRANCES CASO and three other juveniles were also present in the residence around the time of the suspected overdose. A search of the residence revealed multiple suspected controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia used to ingest controlled dangerous substances.

As a result of the investigation, on May 26, 2024, FRANCES CASO was arrested in Fort Lee, NJ and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A 2C:24-4a(2); three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A 2C:24-4a(2); two counts of third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, N.J.S.A 2C:35-10a(1); and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A 2C:36-2a.

On May 31, 2024, FRANCES CASO was additionally charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a. CASO remains at the Bergen County Jail located in Hackensack, NJ pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Fort Lee Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.