A Paterson man accused of fatally beating his 14-month-old son because the boy allegedly wouldn't stop crying has been transferred to a state psychiatric center, authorities said Monday.
Darren Celentano, 28, of Grand Street was moved late Friday from St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic, where he was under suicide watch, to the Ann Klein Forensic Center in Trenton, authorities said.
This delays Celentano's first appearance in court, in which he would formally answer the charge of murder against him. His arraignment was initially expected this week, but John Latoracca, chief assistant prosecutor for Passaic County, said officials will wait for the hospital to conclude its psychiatric evaluation of Celentano before setting a date.
Murder carries a prison sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
The average stay at the Ann Klein hospital is 28 days, officials said. The Trenton facility is a 200-bed center that serves psychiatric patients who exhibit violent behavior or those with a criminal history that require a hospital with police security, according to the state Web site.
Celentano was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Jeremy Celentano. He had won legal custody of Jeremy in July, though legal advocates had wanted the boy to stay with the foster family who cared for him because of his special needs.
Jeremy was born addicted to cocaine and heroin, and had respiratory problems, authorities said.
Prosecutors have said Celentano gave them a confession Thursday on videotape.
It is unclear when Celentano attacked the boy, but police said he brought Jeremy to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson last Tuesday. The boy was unresponsive when he arrived, police said, and later was pronounced dead.
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