NORTH ARLINGTON – On Feb. 14, Dara Pletsch was arrested on 10 outstanding warrants, five traffic and five crime, by North Arlington police, according to Lt. John Hearn. The woman was living in uninhabitable conditions in an illegal studio apartment that had an illegal heating unit, at 20 Ridge Road, he said. Police reports state that her infant daughter was given to relatives in Morristown.
A 9-1-1 caller alerted the police to the situation, Hearn said. Fire official and construction officer Robert Kairys issued a summons to the landlord, a Mr. Wurtenberg, after he deemed the apartment in violation of construction code, according to police reports. The caller, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that Pletsch was intoxicated, and DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services) was called. The child also allegedly was dirty and had a bruised forehead. The caller also said there were two cats in the apartment and that there was fecal matter “all over.”
Pletsch was checked at Clara Maass emergency room and then transported to the Bergen County Sheriff’s office by North Arlington police. She is now in Bergen County jail in lieu of bail, Hearn said.
Bergen County animal shelter officials said they took the two cats and have them at their facility in Teterboro.
