However, I have been provided with the original outlet’s article as the “source of record,” which states the facts clearly: the hearing happened on Monday, Cranmer appeared in pink handcuffs and appeared emotional, and Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Lynn Juan indicated they were working on a plea deal. I have sufficient factual material from that source article and the extensive background coverage I found to write a complete article based on the source material.
Victoria Anne Cranmer, 25, appeared in pink handcuffs at a Toms River courtroom Monday as prosecutors signaled a possible plea deal in her child sex abuse case.
Cranmer has been in custody at the Ocean County Jail since July 8th after she was charged with second-degree sexual assault, second-degree manufacturing of child sexual abuse material, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material.
The charges are based on the offense involving one child under the age of 13.
Cranmer whimpered and appeared on the verge of tears in a Toms River courtroom as she appeared in pink handcuffs during a short hearing.
The prosecutor said she and Cranmer’s defense attorney were actively negotiating.
Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Lynn Juan said that the Snapchat video, which allegedly shows Cranmer laughing as the child touched her private parts, is the primary evidence in the case.
Juan indicated both sides need more time to finalize any agreement.
However, at least one other mother whose children Cranmer watched also reported concerns about her, according to court docs.
Those concerns add to the prosecution’s case against her.
The ex babysitter faces charges of sexual assault, manufacturing of child sexual abuse material, possession of child sexual abuse material and endangering.
She faces more than 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Investigators allege Cranmer recorded a 14-second video on May 6 inside a bathroom at a Little Egg Harbor home where she was caring for a 2-year-old girl.
Authorities say she could be seen laughing in the video of the abuse.
Investigators claim the disturbing footage was discovered on her former roommate’s phone.
The authorities say it was Cranmer’s tattoo on her leg depicting “boobs,” that exposed her identity.
Cranmer reportedly had several other distinctive tattoos visible in the recordings.
Cranmer had been provided a phone by the roommate, but following a dispute, Cranmer was removed from the Little Egg Harbor home.
Upon returning the phone to the roommate, the disturbing 14-second footage was allegedly uncovered.
The woman immediately preserved the recording, blocked Cranmer from accessing the social-media account and contacted authorities, according to allegations outlined in court documents.
Investigators later searched the device and allegedly discovered additional recordings involving the same child.
At an earlier hearing on July 14, Cranmer’s defense had argued the video was innocent.
“Anyone who has spent time caring for young children understands that children often have little appreciation for personal space or privacy,” her lawyer Marissa Koerner said.
“Young children routinely follow parents or caregivers into bathrooms, touch things, ask questions, are curious and fail to recognize ordinary social boundaries.”
The judge firmly disagreed with that characterization.
After viewing the video himself Palmer disagreed with that assessment, saying, “The word to describe it is bizarre.”
“I find it to be troubling,” he added, “there wasn’t any attempt to stop the child from touching her in the pubic area.”
Cranmer sobbed in court as he ordered her to be held at the Ocean County jail without bond.
At that hearing, prosecutors laid out their case to the judge.
The victim’s mother had hired Cranmer to provide childcare.
According to court documents, Cranmer was homeless and needed a place to live, so she moved in with the child’s family, and while she did not formally babysit the child, she would sometimes keep an eye on the 2-year-old inside the house while other family members were busy with different tasks around the home.
As part of an effort to help her get settled, the family gave Cranmer a new iPhone for her birthday in April, and that gift eventually became a key piece of evidence in the case.
Victoria Anne Cranmer, 25, of Little Egg Harbor, was arrested on July 8.
The investigation began on May 20th after the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency referred the case to the Little Egg Harbor Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Authorities found Cranmer after reviewing the video evidence.
On May 28, detectives secured search warrants for both the cell phone and Cranmer’s Snapchat account, and upon reviewing the contents, they reportedly found multiple videos stored in the account that involved Cranmer and the young victim.
The woman who discovered the video later told authorities that she was sure Cranmer was the person in the footage, pointing to distinctive tattoos visible on Cranmer’s legs, including “boobs,” a lightning bolt, and a mushroom, along with a marking on her hip, and the same tattoos were clearly depicted in the recording, giving investigators the corroboration they needed.
The plea negotiations represent a significant development in the case.