By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-18 21:20:39 | Updated at 2026-08-20 03:19:12
1 day ago
Two children who were killed when their allegedly drunk grandfather crashed his boat had asked him to take them back to his house following a family dinner, according to court documents.
Mya Golabek, nine, and her brother Sigmund Paul Golabek, seven, died after they were thrown from a vessel into Barnegat Bay, New Jersey on July 19.
The boat was being driven by their grandad Stephen Schneider, 64 who was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide.
It has since emerged that Mya and Sigmund asked to return to their grandparents' home after Schneider and his wife met the Golabek family for dinner at MJ's Restaurant in Bayville, according to court documents cited by the New York Post.
The children boarded Schneider's boat without their parents, Jennifer and Sigmund Golabek Sr, both 45, who left on their own vessel with plans to meet up later.
Authorities allege Schneider was operating a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 while intoxicated when it struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay near his $1 million waterfront home.
Schneider reportedly told police he had consumed only three beers. His blood alcohol concentration was redacted from publicly released court documents, according to the New York Post.
However, New Jersey State Police said Schneider: 'was unfit to operate a motor vehicle and that his alertness, sense of care and caution, perception, judgment, response time and coordination were markedly impaired by alcohol.'
Mya, 9, and Sigmund Golabek, 7, died after they were flung off a boat into the water during a collision on July 19
Their grandfather Stephen Schneider was driving and has been charged with reckless vessel homicide and operating a vessel under the influence. He is being held without bail
The crash hurled Mya and Sigmund, who were wearing life jackets, into the water but were later found face-down in the bay.
Schneider and his wife, Laurie Schneider, 64, desperately pulled the children back aboard but officials said they were unresponsive.
The children were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
A spokesman for New Jersey State Police said: 'On July 19, at approximately 9.09pm, troopers responded to the report of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township Bay Area.
'Based on a preliminary investigation, a Tidewater Custom 280 30-foot vessel, while traveling through the Intercoastal Waterway, struck a channel marker, causing a nine-year-old juvenile female and a seven-year-old juvenile male to be ejected into the water.
'The operator, Stephen Schneider, a 63-year-old male from Bayville, NJ, and occupant Laurie Schneider, a 64-year-old female from Bayville, located the juveniles unresponsive in the water.
'The juveniles were transported to an area hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
Mya and Sigmund were the only children of the Schneider's 45-year-old daughter, Jennifer Golabek
Police said Schneider operated a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 boat while intoxicated and struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay near his $1 million waterfront home
'This vessel crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available.'
Schneider is being held in Ocean County Jail without bail. His next court appearance has not been scheduled.
The siblings were remembered as fun-loving, adventurous children with a remarkably close bond.
'Mya Bella Golabek entered this world and brought a light that touched everyone around her,' her obituary said.
'In her nine beautiful years, she filled the lives of her family and friends with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.'
The obituary described Mya as 'sweet' and 'fun-loving,' with a 'beautiful smile, kind heart, and joyful personality.'
Sigmund's obituary said: 'His sweet smile, gentle heart, and playful spirit brought happiness to everyone around him.'
An obituary said: 'Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories'
The New Jersey State Police said it was still continuing to investigate the collision
A channel marker in waters off Berkeley Township
'Although Siggy's time here was much too short, the love he gave and the memories he created will remain forever,' it continued.
'He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, teammates, and all who were blessed to know him.'
The obituary added: 'A sibling bond is a love that lasts forever. Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories.'
A Meal Train has since been organized for the family. A post to the donation page said: 'Thank you everyone for your OVERWHELMING support.
'We have received an abundance of donations for the family and cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity. At this time, keeping the family in your prayers is an amazing way to support them.'
