Trial begins for NJ dad accused of killing son, 6, as over 100 abuse complaints from mom went unanswered

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Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

BARNEGAT, NEW JERSEY: The trial of a father accused of compelling his six-year-old son to run on a treadmill due to concerns about the child's weight is now underway in Ocean County, New Jersey. 

Tragically, the boy, Corey Micciolo, died from injuries believed to be the result of chronic abuse, as per Court TV.

Christopher Gregor, 31, faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child and first-degree murder in connection with Corey's death.

Surveillance footage shows Corey Micciolo stumbling and falling multiple times from a treadmill

Surveillance footage from the fitness center at Gregor's apartment complex captured Corey running on a treadmill on March 20, 2021, while the father kept increasing the speed.

The video showed the boy stumbling and falling multiple times as he struggled to keep up. Gregor repeatedly grabbed Corey by the shirt, and at one point, appeared to bite the child's head.

Two weeks later, on April 2, 2021, Gregor claimed he took his son to a hospital after the child woke up from a nap showing signs of stumbling, slurred speech, nausea, and shortness of breath.

While undergoing a CT scan, Corey began having seizures and couldn't be revived despite life-saving measures. 

Corey Micciolo experienced an acute traumatic injury to the heart 4-12 hours before his death

Dr Dante Ragusa, an Ocean County medical examiner who conducted an autopsy on April 3, 2021, determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries with cardiac and liver contusions accompanied by acute inflammation and sepsis.

However, he did not specify the manner of death, instead categorizing it as "undetermined." Following a consultation with a forensic pathologist in September 2021, the manner of death was classified as homicide.

Dr. Thomas Andrew concluded that Corey experienced an acute traumatic injury to the heart four to 12 hours before his death.

He identified signs of chronic abuse, including blunt impact injuries to the chest and abdomen resulting in lacerations to the heart, left pulmonary contusion, as well as laceration and contusion of the liver.

Christopher Gregor's defense team claims Corey Micciolo's manner of death was 'natural'

Gregor was initially arrested on July 7, 2021, for endangering the welfare of a child owing to the treadmill incident. Officials said he was “subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform," as per Court TV.

He was arrested in connection to Corey’s murder on March 9, 2022.

Gregor's defense team has enlisted the services of a consulting forensic pathologist who determined his manner of death was "natural." In a statement, defense attorney Mario Gallucci clarified further that the child's death was attributed to "complications from pneumonia."

At the time of Corey's death, his mother, Breanna Micciolo, and Gregor shared joint custody.

Reports suggest Gregor had minimal involvement in Corey's life until he turned four. Breanna, Corey's mother, disclosed that she had reported Gregor for abuse on over 100 occasions, yet no action was taken.

Breanna has filed a lawsuit against the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency for their alleged failure to safeguard Corey adequately.

Gregor, who is currently incarcerated without bond at the Ocean County Jail, rejected a plea deal offering 30 years. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.