Toddler's Death in Foster Care Spurs State Probe

The agency that oversees New Jersey's foster-care program is investigating the death of a 1-year-old Cinnaminson girl, who allegedly died at the hands of her foster parent's boyfriend. 

Kristine Brown, spokeswoman for the state Department of Children and Families, confirmed Thursday that the agency has launched an inquiry into the death of Claudia Nunes, who died Feb. 12. 

Shamong resident Steven R. Donaldson, 29, was charged with one count of murder Wednesday in the toddler's death. 

Donaldson was caring for Claudia in her Cinnaminson home while his girlfriend was at work, authorities said. Just before 8 p.m., Donaldson called 911 and told a dispatcher Claudia was not breathing. Law enforcement and emergency medical technicians who responded were unable to revive the toddler.

She was taken to Kennedy University Hospital in Cherry Hill, where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood concluded the cause of Claudia’s death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Brown, the DCF spokeswoman, wrote in an email Thursday that her office could not provide additional details about the case. 

"We have been asked and will adhere to the request from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office not to disclose any information regarding this matter at this time, as it may jeopardize their ongoing criminal investigation," Brown wrote.