It was a crime that riveted South Jersey: A young father charged with killing his 3-year-old son.
David “D.J.” Creato Jr. pleaded guilty to killing 3-year-old Brendan, whose body was found in woods near his Haddon Township home in October 2015.
Under the plea agreement, Creato, 23, will serve a maximum of 10 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter.
The surprise plea came 2½ weeks before Creato was to go on trial a second time for murder, on Sept. 11.
Three medical examiners ruled that Brendan died of “homicidal violence” but could not determine whether he was drowned, strangled, or smothered.
Assistant Prosecutor Christine Shah, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Moran, declined to comment on the plea.
Someday … at some time, the person that would do the unthinkable will be brought to justice either here on earth or later.”. »