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Briana: Tonight on "NJ Spotlight News" Andy Kim is looking to be thrown senior sitting member Bob Menendez so it's a scribble to see who will fill his congressional seat.

>> I will tell you they are a strong, Democratic party out there, and they know what they are looking for.

Briana: Plus, still missing.

>> We want something back of our brother.

Briana: The family is demanding answers from the police after he was last seen in their custody two years ago.

Also, severely neglected.

An investigating report sheds light on the mistreatment in a New Jersey run group home.

>> When she saw her family, she would rub her face and cry, but they didn't know what was wrong.

Briana: And the 2024 winter Special Olympics kicks off in the state with nearly 400 athletes going for gold.

>> I think that it allows our athletes, whether you are eight years old or 55 years old, to accomplish life through the success of sport.

Briana: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening, and thank you for joining us this to tonight.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

First Lady Tammy Murphy's Senate bid could be stoking resentment among some of the governor's constituents, according to a University poll released today, showing nearly half of New Jersey residents approved of Governor Murphy's job performance.

A 46% positive rating, but that support starts to drop after being told of the first ladies campaign.

It fell 10 points among independent voters and dropped even further among Republicans.

The poll director says even though the governor can't run for reelection, the number still matter.

They give Murphy leverage to get things done in Trenton, adding his wife's campaign could quickly drag him down.

Accusations of nepotism have dogged the Senate race, but Murphy has stable job approval ratings among Democrats, the voters who matter most to him and the first ladies campaign.

Her main opponent is risking his house seat to run, prompting two former running mates and his district to battle it out for the open seat.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz reports.

David: Congressman Andy Kim will vacate his seat to run for Senate, but the battle to succeed him is coming to its first milestone this weekend as Monmouth County Democrats hold their first convention to see who gets their support for the party's nomination.

The conventional wisdom is that assembly member Herb Conway has the support of most of the party's electors.

His primary opponent and assembly partner, Carol Murphy, says the party line, which we should also note she has run on before, is not working for democracy.

>> We should not be in a position where we are pitting Democrat against Democrat.

Everybody should let the voters pick the person.

>> She says this -- he says as long as there's a party line system, he's going to compete in it.

He says he is OK with fellow Democrats making the choice.

>> It's a record of accomplishment, but I started out just like any person in their 20's wants to get in the system, the door is open.

You can become an Elector of the Democratic Party in your jurisdiction and work your way up, as I did.

Get to know people and do politics.

This is about politics, after all.

>> In a way, it is similar to the Senate by Mary in that the establishment candidate, Tammy Murphy, is getting all the institutional support and the challenger, Andy Kim, is trying to buck the system.

Murphy waves off the comparison but noted that endorsing Conway was not very sporting.

>> He been friends with her a long time, and I think him coming out was not the right thing to do, regardless of the friendship, because we both are sitting assembly who work on the Democratic Party and this has been the problem, in a lot of places where people are tired, or feeling that the Democratic way is not working because it is always biased on one side.

>> Carol Murphy is pretty formidable, and people always want to diversify the delegation with women.

But I think Conway has had a long career, he is both a doctor and lawyer, his credentials are impeccable.

He has been a loyal Democratic soldier for years.

>> Murphy, who is no newcomer, having served as Chief of Staff to two assembly members, says you should not count her out, guard us of who in the establishment is backing Conway.

>> I will tell you they are a strong Democratic party out there, and they know what they are looking for.

And I think knowing that I'm the first woman that would represent Monmouth in an congressional office right now is appealing to a lot of the women out there and the men who support those women.

>> You appear to be the establishment candidate, no?

>> Well, I have a long record of service for my state here of New Jersey and my country in the military.

If that makes me establishment, then so be it.

>> This used to be a more conservative district, but Kim's success and some favorable redistricting have made it much more blue, meaning that the winner of the Democratic primary is likely the next member of Congress from Congressional District three, which will leave at least one vacancy in assembly District seven, which you don't have to worry about, because the party bosses will take care of filling it.

Briana: This month marks the two-year anniversary since Felix to Jesus went missing.

He banished on a February night after Patterson police detained him on a disturbance call, then allegedly dropped him off at a park near a river.

No one has seen him since.

As Joanna Gagis reports, the family is still desperately searching for answers, but not giving up hope.

>> We want our brother back.

We want something back of our brother.

Joanna: It's been two years since Felix de Jesus disappeared after being in custody of the police.

The family has no more information today than when he did not return home from work on February 2, 2022.

>> My brother was hurting, he was saying his arm was broken, so they should have took him to the hospital.

Unfortunately, they did not take him to the hospital, they just dumped him in the park on a freezing cold night.

>> He was inebriated that night and detained after a disturbance.

The family obtained body camera footage only after an investigation was open, but it is incomplete.

It starts with de Jesus on the ground saying his arm was broken and the officers turned the body cameras off before allegedly dropping him off on a cold night wearing nothing but a T-shirt.

Police say five witnesses saw him at the park.

>> There is no video footage of any of these so-called witnesses, so we don't know if they were homeless people or who they were.

We have no proof that they dropped him off.

>> The only proof we have of them -- is that them dumping him in the back of the car.

>> He was given 88 days of backpay because he was a rookie trainee at the time.

The family points to the numerous family connections officer Feliciano has within Patterson as a reason why they have heard nothing further since their brother disappeared.

>> The stepfathers of Judge, his mom works in the police station.

His uncle works in the fire station.

Mike Jackson, the one that was helping us out at first, then he found out his cousin was involved, so he didn't want to get involved no more.

Joanna: In the two years since he disappeared, the Patterson Police Department has been taken over by the state and Attorney General's office, but the family says that has offered them no help.

>> The Attorney General say they are doing an investigation, but it go step-by-step so they can get involved in that.

Joanna: A statement says the office continues to investigate the disappearance of Felix and have led searches along the river.

Including the New Jersey division on criminal justice and the police and part apartments.

Corey Teague is a community activist who is now working as a community advisor to the Patterson officer in charge.

It's a new position created as part of the states takeover to improve the relationship between police and community members.

He continues to call for transparency in this case.

>> The main focus is to get Felix back or to get answers to what happened and have people held accountable.

Right now I don't think the family is even concerned with the changes, and I don't blame them, because their situation has not been resolved yet.

There has to be some answers for this family.

>> You pray to God every day that something comes up.

What is done in the dark comes to light.

Joanna: They will not give up the fight until they finally have answers.

In Patterson, I'm Joanna Gagis, "NJ Spotlight News".

Briana: In order to serve in law enforcement in New Jersey, you will now have to hold a valid, active license issued by the states police training commission.

The new requirement went into effect last month, Eddie New Jersey to a list of more than 40 other states with the same mandate.

Some 40,000 police officers here have to comply to keep their jobs.

Advocates say it was designed to build public trust and confidence in law enforcement.

As Ted Goldberg reports, one requirement involving officers social media accounts is still up for debate.

Ted: Anyone who wants to become a police officer in New Jersey could face a unique hurdle.

The things I post on social media.

>> If you are putting out biased content onto your social media platforms, that can impact your ability to serve the residents of this state and you can be held accountable for that.

Ted: The police training commission gives out licenses for police and a proposed rules are accepted, licenses could be revoked for posting, sharing, or commenting on content.

The Attorney General says this policy sets apart New Jersey's law enforcement officers from those in other states.

>> I'm confident that this is the right thing to do to ensure that the public has confidence in our law enforcement and I think this provision in particular is going to set us apart, setting a national standard.

>> We are close to a place we can live with and we think it protects the right amount.

>> The rules are in the middle of a 60 day public comment period that runs until mid -- mid March.

Cabin line serves on the police training commit -- commission.

He says the rules -- Kevin Lyons says it requires sharing data from banking apps.

>> We want to protect people's lives to some degree.

A group chat would have been considered social media.

>> He has concerns about how the rules will be interpreted, but he also things the rules will help the hiring process for police.

>> Nobody is saying that if an officer has a swastika on the front page of their Facebook page, let's say, that that officer should not be scrutinized.

We don't want those officers.

>> It's important to make sure the officers we are hurrying to police our society don't have these types of biases.

>> Jason Williams is an associate professor of justice's duties -- studies at Montclair.

He thinks rules would help departments identify problematic people before they get hired and become a bigger headache for their superiors.

>> I think it is better they weed these officers out from the outset, rather than allowing them to come into the agency and then now you have this problem snowballing and you only deal with it once something materializes.

>> Some people have argued this violates freedom of speech.

He mentioned that while people have a first movement right to speak their mind, that doesn't mean they are free from consequences, and the First Amendment doesn't guarantee you the right to be a police officer.

>> We realize it when we take the job, we don't love it, we are still human beings, but at the same time, we want to make sure the public's trust is assured.

>> The Attorney General says New Jersey's licensing bill is the strongest in the country.

We will see if the social media policy is altered when the public comment period ends next month.

For "NJ Spotlight News" I'm Ted Goldberg.

Briana: Across New Jersey, thousands of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities live in State license group homes, putting their care and needs into what are expected to be capable hands.

But what happens when something goes wrong?

A new investigated report looks at a case brought by a central New Jersey family suing a special-needs center over allegations staff abuse, mistreated, and neglected their daughter.

The family expected the state to hold those responsible accountable, but two years later, they are still waiting.

Sue joins me now.

We appreciate you sharing your reporting.

Obviously this is a very sensitive topic for this family.

What specifically in their lawsuit are they alleging happened to their loved one?

Sue: The mother is alleging that her daughter, Leah, 18 at the time, was not provided the medical care that she needed to keep healthy.

She has a condition that causes severe acid reflux.

She is disabled enough where she needs people to give her her medication, to brush her teeth regularly with medicated toothpaste.

They are alleging for a protracted period of time, that none of this occurred, and that her teeth rotted so badly that her nerves were exposed and that by the time that she was seen by medical professionals, none of her teeth could be salvaged and they were all removed.

Briana: In dish into that, as you wrote, there were pictures shared where this young woman, Leah, was so malnourished, it appeared that her ribs were clearly visible.

There were allegations that she was locked in her room at the group home, rope tied to the nearby stairwell, the banister, to keep her in their.

What happened in the family reported these instances to the police, to the state?

>> Well, the Ocean County prosecutor took a complaint right after she was removed from the group home.

She was evicted on February 2, 2022.

The prosecutor investigated two weeks ago told mom that there was not enough information to bring criminal charges and that the case remained open.

Briana: Your investigation showed there were medical records, there were text messages that staff members who asks to be kept anonymous shared with the family.

That was not enough for the state or the prosecutor's office to substantiate her allegations?

>> Apparently not.

The medical records were quite blatant, saying that there was no other explanation where -- that could explain her loss of teeth, her weight loss.

She is a nonverbal, disabled young woman, could not express her pain, aside from acting out behaviorally, being difficult.

When she saw her family, she would rub her face and cry, but they didn't know what was wrong until a visit in January of 2022, where her sister was bathing her and that's when they took that picture, where they saw her ribs were exposed, that they could see how malnourished she was.

Briana: Is this case indicative of a larger problem within the system?

Is that a reach?

What does the state say in response to this?

>> So there is an ombudsman's office for people with development disabilities and their families.

While beyond Bud's minutes not commenting on this specific case, there is a larger issue, according to that office, -- while the ombudsman's office is not commenting, I have covered these issues for many years.

This is something I have heard repeatedly, Leah's story was particularly egregious, but it is not alone.

Briana: Sue is a reporter for NJ advanced media, thanks for your great reporting.

>> Thanks for your interest.

Briana: In our spotlight on business report, New Jersey is strengthening ties with one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Governor Murphy signed an executive order creating a New Jersey-India commission that encourages educational exchanges between the two.

The administration says India is the Garden State second largest direct foreign investor.

New Jersey is also home to a large number of Indian Americans and immigrant families.

The partnership comes after multiple economic mission trips to India, the first by Governor Murphy and 2019, and most recently by the nonprofit choose New Jersey, a little over a month ago.

Murphy says his initial trip sparked a close relationship, hoping secure some 1200 new jobs here by expanding the presence of three Indian companies within the state.

The commission will be made up of between 35-40 members appointed by the governor.

>> The Garden State is home to a thriving community and home away from home for roughly 400,000 Indian Americans, including thousands of immigrants who are keeping their proud family traditions alive right here in New Jersey.

Briana: On Wall Street, stocks lost steam as investors continue debating whether an interest rate cut is on the horizon.

Here is how the markets closed.

♪ They are dedicated athletes with a passion for their support and a penchant for fun.

2024 Special Olympics New Jersey winter games kicked off this week, hosting nearly 400 athletes of all abilities.

The events range from snowshoeing and speedskating to skiing and snowboarding.

While participants are gunning for those coveted metals, the athletes remind us, real victory comes from being brave in the attempt.

Senior correspondent Brenda has their story.

>> Fourth-grader Jake conquered the giant slalom slope from intermediate skiers while his coach cheered.

This teacher is a volunteer at Special Olympics New Jersey's winter games, some 90 athletes with intellectual disability spent two days competing here on the slopes at Mount Creek resort in Vernon.

Already eight students from Union City participated and she helped take train.

He says falling is OK. >> If you don't fall, then you are not trying.

>> It has been an amazing experience, from barely being able to get his boots on, to now taking this hill pretty much like a pro.

One of our students was chosen to light the torch.

>> Lighting the torch kicked off this year's winter games in venues across Sussex County were almost 400 athletes died for metals in skiing, skating, snowshoeing and more.

They vary widely in age and ability.

Everybody gets encouragement and support says CEO and president Heather Anderson.

>> It allows our athletes, whether you are eight years old or 55 years old, to accomplish live through the success of sport and working on abilities.

It's a very positive experience for them.

They are competitors.

>> We enjoy it, we have been skiing their whole live -- our whole lives.

>> Their son won a medal, but they also came to socialize.

>> A lot of tears and tons of goosebumps for all of us.

>> Back in 1960 nine, New Jersey sent just a handful of athletes to the Eastern regional Special Olympics held at the University of Maryland.

They had very little in the way of training or equipment.

Things have changed.

>> It has flourished and grown over the years, through the kindness of volunteers, coaches, sponsors, and law enforcement.

Today we are celebrating the success of our athletes and what they show, what they can accomplish, and focus on ability and not disability.

>> More than 20,000 athletes compete in every season, funded by an $11 billion budget, all of it donated.

Ceremonies awarding medals make sure everyone is included.

Jake sat patiently and watched the athletes honored with music and metals, and then they called his name.

He solemnly took his place on the podium.

>> I didn't necessarily expect amedal, because honestly it is more about the experience, but the fact that he got one is just the icing on the cake's -- on the cake for us.

>> Did you have fun?

>> Yes.

>> And he later scored a gold medal.

Jake says he will be back next year.

Briana: That does it for us tonight, but you can join me and a panel of experts for alive "NJ Spotlight News" virtual roundtable looking at New Jersey's climate future.

The signs, the politics, and the planning for storm flooding here in the state.

That's Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. To register, you can head to NJ Spotlight News.org.

Thanks for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you back here tomorrow night.

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