A New Jersey man has been charged with double homicide following a boating incident that resulted in the deaths of his two young grandchildren, Mya Golabek, 9, and Sigmund Golabek, 7. Stephen Schneider, 64, faces charges including reckless vessel homicide and operating a vessel under the influence.
The incident occurred on July 19 on Barnegat Bay. According to court documents, the children had asked to return to their grandparents' home after a family dinner. Schneider was operating his 30-foot Tidewater 280 when the boat struck a channel marker. The impact ejected both children into the water.
Despite wearing life jackets, Mya and Sigmund were found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Schneider and his wife reportedly retrieved the children from the water and attempted CPR.
State Police confirmed that Schneider was unfit to operate a vessel at the time of the crash, stating his alertness and coordination were impaired by alcohol. While court documents redacted his blood alcohol level, authorities confirmed impairment. Schneider reportedly told police he had consumed three beers during a two-hour outing.
Public records indicate Schneider resides in Bayville, New Jersey.