Father of Two Children Killed in New Jersey Boating Crash Asks Judge to Release Their Grandfather as Prosecutor Reveals BAC

The father of two children killed in a devastating New Jersey boating crash has asked a judge to release the man charged in connection with their deaths — the children’s own grandfather.

Stephen Schneider, 64, appeared in Ocean County court Wednesday, where prosecutors disclosed that his blood alcohol concentration was allegedly 0.16 at the time of the crash, twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Despite prosecutors arguing that Schneider should remain behind bars while awaiting trial, Judge Wendel Daniels granted his release.

Prosecutor Reveals Alleged BAC

Schneider faces two counts of reckless vessel homicide/death by vessel following the crash that killed his grandchildren, Mya Golabek, 9, and Sigmund Golabek, 7.

Prosecutor Kate Burke told the court that Schneider had consumed enough alcohol to reach a BAC of 0.16 before operating the vessel, describing the consequences as catastrophic.

Schneider had previously told investigators that he drank three beers over approximately two hours while having dinner with his wife, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.

The children later boarded their grandfather’s boat for the journey back.

Children’s Father Makes Unexpected Plea

One of the most emotional developments at Wednesday’s hearing came not from the prosecution or defense, but from the children’s father.

Schneider’s attorney, William Cunningham, read a letter from the father asking that his father-in-law be released from custody.

In the letter, he described Schneider as someone who had consistently supported the family and expressed gratitude for the relationship he had shared with the children.

“He’s been there for our family in ways that words cannot fully express,” the letter said, describing Schneider as a “wonderful father-in-law” and adding: “I’m grateful for the way he loved my children.”

The plea presented an extraordinary dimension to a case in which the same family is confronting both the deaths of two children and the criminal prosecution of their grandfather.

Defense Says Crash Has Devastated the Family

Cunningham argued that the consequences of the tragedy have already profoundly affected Schneider and those closest to him.

The attorney told the court that Schneider would probably never operate a boat again and would no longer consume alcohol.

“This has cut to the root of his family,” Cunningham said.

Prosecutors, however, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the alleged level of alcohol in Schneider’s system when the crash occurred.

Judge Daniels ultimately sided with the defense on the question of pretrial detention and approved Schneider’s release.

The decision means Schneider will be out of jail while the criminal case stemming from the deaths of his two grandchildren moves forward.