'They Got Her In Reno;' Neighbors React To Arrest

Signs, dolls and what could be a chair for a person who is handicapped were placed outside the home of a 53-year-old Manchester woman who was arrested in connection with her daughter's death.

A sign saying,"They Got Her In Reno" was attached to the chair, where stuffed animals sat outside Janet D. Wilson's house. Wilson was recently arrested and charged after a srange odor coming from her Manchester residence was detected in May.

Ethel Urkoff, who lives in the Pine Ridge at Crestwood development with Wilson, said Wilson's disabled daughter, Rebecca, attended all the community parties and "we always made her feel welcome."

"We would always let her dance in her wheelchair," she said.

Urkoff said she and other neighbors created the makeshift memorial after finding the chair in her yard.

"We're all mothers," she said. "I can't imagine how anyone could do this to their own child."

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said inspectors will still investigating the matter to determine the extent of the neglect.

"The fact is that her remains were left without making any notification of the death," he said Friday.

At approximately 8:10 p.m. on May 30, Manchester Township Police were dispatched to 23 Fox Street in the Pine Ridge section, then forced entry into the residence and found the decomposed body of Wilson's 32-year--old daughter, Rebecca, authorities said.

A search found no other people inside the residence, authorities said.

On May 31, a court authorized search warrant was executed for the residence, but the agencies' efforts to inspect the home were hampered by the home's condition, authorities said. 

The condition of the home caused Manchester Township code officials to condemn the Wilson residence, declaring it unfit for human occupancy, authorities said.

On June 16, the investigation located Janet Wilson in the Reno, Nev. area. With assistance from the Reno City Police Dept., the New Jersey investigations team confirmed that Janet Wilson was staying at the Vagabond Motel in Reno, authorities said.

On June 18, members of the Manchester Township Police and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office boarded a flight to Nevada to continue the investigation.

On June 20, authorities met again with Janet Wilson at the Vagabond Motel and transported her to the Reno City Police Department, where she was placed under arrest.

Also on June 20, the investigation revealed that Janet Wilson still had not reported Rebecca Wilson deceased and was still actively receiving Rebecca Wilson’s disability and Social Security checks.

As late as June 17, $600.00 had been withdrawn from Rebecca Wilson’s Wells Fargo account and transferred to Janet Wilson’s Wells Fargo account.

Janet Wilson was initially held in the Washoe County Jail in Reno, Nev. She then waived extradition, and arrived back in New Jersey on July 4. Wilson’s bail was set at $250,000 cash bail only, authorities said.

There will be a first appearance for Wilson on Monday, July 8, at 1:30pm. Urkoff said she and neighbors plan to attend.

By Judy Bendar