KNOWLTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 65-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a child that occurred in 2007.
Esther Silva, of Knowlton Township, was arrested on Oct. 15 at approximately 10:30 a.m. by members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in the area of State Route 94 and Oraton Lane.
Silva is charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child – permitting a child to engage in a recorded sexual act, second-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child – recording a child in a sexual act, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child – sexual conduct.
On July 11, members of the Paterson Police Department received newly discovered evidence in relation to the sexual assault of a child in 2007.
The matter was immediately referred to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
The investigation revealed that in 2007, Silva video recorded and, on several occasions, facilitated acts of sexual abuse against a female child who was between 15 and 16 years old at the time.
It is alleged that Silva conspired to commit the acts with a man who is now deceased.
Silva is currently in custody at the Hudson County Jail.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for pretrial detention, which is scheduled before Judge William E. Marsala on Oct. 21.
