DNA tests confirm ID of baby found along river; father charged with murder (New Jersey)

DNA testing has confirmed what everybody knew: that baby found along the Raritan River last month was the same baby who was "allegedly" abducted and thrown off a bridge by her father, SHAMSIDDEN ABDUR-RAHEEM. Note that the mother was trying to get an order of protection at the time of the abduction, and that Daddy had been "feuding" with her (i.e. harrassing her) about how often he got to see the baby. Can we finally see in hindsight that not every father pushing for more time with the children has good intentions? Judges and others associated with the courts need to make note of this. Some of these guys are not loving daddies at all--just bloody control freaks.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100504_DNA_tests_confirm_ID_of_baby_found_along_Raritan_River.html

Posted on Tue, May. 4, 2010

DNA tests confirm ID of baby found along Raritan River
By Barbara Boyer

Inquirer Staff Writer

Genetic testing confirmed that the infant found along the Raritan River last month was the child allegedly abducted and thrown off a bridge by her father as he fled to his parents' Winslow Township home, authorities said Monday.

Investigators initially believed the body found April 24 was Zara Malani-Lin Abdur based on the pink-and-gray onesie she was wearing, but DNA testing was needed for the confirmation.

The 3-month-old had been abducted Feb. 16 in East Orange, N.J., from her maternal grandmother as the baby's mother, Venetta Benjamin, 23, was obtaining a protection-from-abuse order against Shamsiddin Abdur-Raheem, 21, of Galloway Township.

Benjamin had custody of Zara but had been feuding about how often the father got to see baby, relatives said at the time of the abduction.

In February, Abdur-Raheem allegedly assaulted the grandmother, Leno Benjamin, 60, who police said fought vigorously. She was struck by the van in which Abdur-Raheem fled.

He was arrested hours later after his father called Camden County authorities, who said Abdur-Raheem confessed that he threw his daughter off the Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge Township.

Rescue crews searched futilely overnight in frigid weather. On April 24, the body was found by people walking on the south bank of the river, just east of the Route 35 Victory Bridge.

Abdur-Raheem is charged with murder, kidnapping and attempted murder of the grandmother. He also is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of aggravated assault. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in prison on $2 million bail awaiting trial.