Infant Suffered Severe Burns After Being Placed on Police Motorcycle at NJ National Night Out

During the August 2025 “National Night Out” in Florham Park, a routine community‑policing event turned tragic for one family. The celebration, meant to bring officers, firefighters and local kids together, took a dark turn when a police motorcycle was still warm from a recent ride.

According to a complaint filed in Morris County Superior Court, an officer lifted the plaintiff’s infant daughter onto the seat of that still‑running bike. The little girl’s bare foot brushed the exhaust pipe, which, as the suit details, was hot enough to cause a serious burn.

The contact left a severe burn on the child’s right leg, resulting in permanent scarring and disfigurement. The mother alleges the officer should have known the exhaust remained dangerously hot and argues the officer’s negligence directly caused the injury.

In the lawsuit, the family is seeking compensatory damages to cover medical costs, pain and suffering, as well as attorneys’ fees and other expenses. The Florham Park Police Department has not responded to requests for comment at the time of publishing.

This incident has sparked community concern over safety protocols at public events, especially those involving children and police equipment. It also adds to a growing list of lawsuits that question how law‑enforcement agencies manage interactions with the public during outreach activities.