My name is Naquel Anderson, a single mother from Ocean County, NJ.  I have lovingly raised my children my entire life. In September 2024, I was wrongfully arrested and convicted of child abuse- charges that are completely false.

Unfortunately, many families suffer in silence, torn apart by wrongful convictions and injustices in the legal system.  Despite my 17 year old son testifying that I did not hurt him, and the Department of Children Families finding no evidence of abuse or neglect in my home, I was forced to sign a guilty plea within 48 hours.  I was told that if I didn’t sign the plea, I would never see my children again. Even more troubling, I was arrested on these charges just days before I was scheduled to begin trial in a completely separate criminal case - a case I had been fighting for over four years and was finally set to go to trial October 2, 2024.

The timing of this arrest- on September 26, 2024 - felt like retaliation, as if I was being punished or silenced for defending myself in that other case against Barnegat Township Police Department. Instead of going to trial to fight for justice, I was suddenly jailed on new charges and told I would lose my children if I didn’t plead guilty. 
Out of fear and desperation, and with tears in my eyes, I signed-not because I was guilty, but because I was terrified of losing my children forever.

I didn’t fully understand my legal rights, and I had no one truly advocating for me. I feel like they saw that- and used it against me. I then spent 9 months in jail, separated from my kids. During that time, I lost my home. My dogs - who were part of our family- were killed also.
When I was released, I was immediately reunited with my children. That moment proved what I knew all along: no abuse ever occured. My children were always safe, loved, and cared for.  Being wrongfully convicted and separated from my children caused unimaginable pain and trauma for our family. It exposed a deeper problem in our system: while real cases of child abuse often go overlooked, loving mothers like myself suffer unjustly.

I am calling on the Ocean County Justice System for a full and fair review of my convictions. Transparency and accountability within the Justice System. Better protection and focus on real cases of child abuse. 

I am also asking for  support to bring attention to this injustice, and to prevent it from happening to other families. By signing this petition you’re standing with me to fight wrongful convictions and protect our families. Loving mothers and fathers do not deserve to suffer, and setting boundaries for your teenage children should not be considered a crime. 

Attached is a photo I drawn while incarcerated showing my pain and hope. Your support means the world to me and my family. Thank you so much