Child Support Warrant Triggers Suicide Attempt, Investigators Say

A Toms River 56-year-old, who apparently drove a nail into his own heart with a power hammer as he was about to be arrested for back child support, is listed in critical but stable condition today.

According to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, George Clark's breathing difficulties during processing led to a rapid medical examination at the Warrants Division in Toms River, revealing a hole in his chest that was found to be a nail after X-rays at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Sheriff's officers had been dispatched to Clark's room at the Shore Motel on Route 37 in Toms River to issue the charge.

Sources say that Clark was slow to respond when they sought entry, but was arrested without incident and showed no signs of distress until his breathing became labored during booking.

Upon finding the puncture wound, medics at the Warrants Division arranged for a Medevac unit to fly Clark to Jersey Shore, where he remains.

Investigators casing the motel room found a Remington power-actuated tool beside his bed and a single spent nail casing on the floor, authorities said.