Police: Man tried to meet 11-year-old girl in Morris Plains park – Daily Record

As Morris County continued its self-isolation due to the coronavirus outbreak, here's what we saw from a safe social distance. March 24, 2020. Morristown Daily Record

A 19-year-old man faces attempted aggravated sexual assault and other criminal charges after he was arrested Tuesday at a Morris Plains park, where police say he planned to meet an 11-year-old girl.

Robert Murphy was expected to be released Thursday from the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he was jailed on chargesthat included criminal intent and endangering a minor, facility staff said.

Morris Plains police did not specify the charges following their investigation of what they term "an isolated incident." The girl's age was identified byCol. Pat Callahan of the New Jersey State Police.

According to the police report, the parents of the underage girllearned of her plans to meet Murphy at an unidentified local park in the tiny borough of 532 residents. They told police she met him online through a social-networking application.

Police intervened before the meeting occurred. The suspect and the girl never had any physical contact, police said.

Murphy also was charged with violating stateexecutive orders regarding social distancing. His arrest was discussed during the state daily press conference on Wednesday.

Morris Plains police followed the arrest report with a public advisory for parents "to strongly emphasize the role that parents should play in their childrens internet activity."

Parents are reminded to continuously monitor their children's online behavior and should speak with themfrequently about safe and responsible use of the internet, police said. "Conversations are especially important now when our children are spending more time at home with technology, seeking the social interactions they are missing while not in school and unable to spend time with friends."

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William Westhovenis a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:wwesthoven@dailyrecord.comTwitter:@wwesthoven

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Police: Man tried to meet 11-year-old girl in Morris Plains park - Daily Record

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