Watch CBS News

Police Arrest Atlantic City Man For Allegedly Murdering His Mother

By Cleve Bryan

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (CBS) -- An Atlantic City man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing his mother, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.

Police were called to an Atlantic City residence early on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, police found the resident, Gwendolyn Pratt, 64, dead of apparent head injuries. The victim's son, Steven Pratt, 46, of the same address, was found at the scene and detained by police.

Friends say that Steven Pratt received a warm welcome after coming home from prison.

"Her son came home Friday and we had a good party for him, a coming home party," says Kevin Murray, a close friend of Gwendolyn Pratt.

Murray expressed concerns about Steven living with Gwendolyn but she felt obligated to help him.

"I said your son's coming home and you really don't know him, he's been gone for so long and she expressed to me that it was her son," says Murray.

County Prosecutor Jim McClain authorized the charge of murder against Pratt. He was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $1 million cash bail.

Pratt had been released from New Jersey State Prison on Friday, Oct. 10, after completing a 30-year prison sentence for a 1984 murder.

You may also be interested in these stories:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.