MANCHESTER, New Jersey — A 45-year-old Ocean County man has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison for beating his elderly mother unconscious with a metal cane inside her own home.
Joseph Cavallaro was sentenced Thursday in Superior Court in Ocean County. He must serve 8.5 years before he becomes eligible for parole.
Cavallaro had pleaded guilty to attempted murder in January, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
What Started as an Argument Turned Deadly
On June 27, 2025, Cavallaro went to his mother’s home at the Pine Acres Manor Mobile Home Community in Manchester.
What began as an argument quickly escalated into a violent attack.
Investigators said Cavallaro believed his mother had contacted child protective services about his children. In a letter submitted to the court, the victim described how that suspicion pushed her son to turn on her with brutal force.
Cavallaro later admitted in court that he was trying to kill her.
A Neighbor’s 911 Call Saved Her Life
Around 12:15 p.m., a neighbor heard the 71-year-old woman crying out for help and called 911.
That call may have made the difference between life and death.
Judge Guy Ryan said directly from the bench that the victim likely would not have survived if that neighbor had not acted when they did.
When police arrived, they found the woman beaten unconscious. Prosecutors said Cavallaro had struck her repeatedly with a metal cane.
The Injuries Were Severe
The attack left the 71-year-old with a fractured skull, broken ribs, facial fractures, and a concussion.
She was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was hospitalized before eventually being discharged.
Despite the severity of the assault, she survived.
10 Years in State Prison
In court Thursday, Judge Ryan handed down a 10-year state prison sentence.
Cavallaro must serve at least 8.5 years before he can be considered for parole.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the sentence following the hearing.
Do you think 10 years is the right sentence for this crime? Share your thoughts in the comments — this case has shaken the Manchester community and people are talking.
