ABC News producer Dax Tejera’s widow says she WAS monitoring her children in NYC hotel before arrest

The wife of ABC News producer Dax Tejera, who was arrested on child endangerment charges just hours after he died of a heart attack two days before Christmas, said she was monitoring their young children while She was going to the hospital with her dying husband.

Verónica Tejera was arrested by NYPD officers and charged with two counts of ‘acting in a manner injurious to a child’ on December 23 after police were called to the Yale Club Hotel.

In a statement, Tejera said that after her husband collapsed on the 23rd, she “accompanied him in an ambulance to the hospital.”

“I asked a close friend and my parents to rush to my children’s hotel room to attend to them while I monitored them with a camera. The hotel did not allow my friend in and instead called the NYPD,” he continued.

“We had two cameras focused on my children while they slept, and I closely monitored them during the time I was away from them. While the girls were unharmed, I realize it was a bad decision.

Our family has suffered a terrible tragedy. I respectfully request privacy as my children and I mourn Dax’s passing.

She added that she and her young family “are devastated by the sudden passing of Dax.

“He has left behind a heartbroken family and two daughters whom he loved with all his heart.”

Police received a 911 call at 11 p.m. about “neglected children” at 50 Vanderbilt Avenue in Manhattan, home of the members-only Yale Club hotel.

They found that “a two-year-old girl and a five-month-old girl were left alone inside a hotel room for an extended period of time.” Police did not identify the children, but their ages are the same as Tejera’s daughters.

Veronica Tejera received a desk ticket that will require her to appear in court at a future date, police said.

Varietywho first reported her arrest, said Veronica did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Yale Club is an exclusive club for Yale University alumni. It includes rooms ranging from economy studios to 556-square-foot luxury suites.

Police have not released details of the arrangements under which Tejera or her children were staying.

The Yale Club has luxurious rooms for weddings and private events, as well as a gym and a library.

Dax Tejera passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack. The 37-year-old has worked with George Stephanopoulos and Martha Raddatz, and recently traveled to London to contribute to the network’s coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a memo to staff on Christmas Eve, ABC News President Kim Godwin said: “It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we share that our friend and colleague, Dax Tejera, passed away suddenly from a heart attack last night.”

‘Like “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” EP, Dax’s energy, passion and love for that show, ABC News and you shone through every Sunday morning. That same love extended to his precious girls.

“Our thoughts are with his wife, Verónica, the couple’s two young daughters and the entire Tejera family.”

Colleagues also paid tributes on social media.

Good Morning America correspondent Gio Benitez said in a moving Instagram post: “As you celebrate Christmas Eve with your families, please keep the family of Dax Tejera in your thoughts and prayers.”

“He was the executive producer of This Week ABC, a friend to all of us, and most importantly, a loving husband to Veronica and a devoted father to two beautiful girls, Sofia and Ella.

“Dax was a champion for many at ABC News, leading the way in groundbreaking television specials.”

Benítez posted a photo of the couple at the White House, explaining that it had been taken after interviewing Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre “for a broadcast network Pride special, the first of its kind.”

‘We often connect because we are exactly the same age: 37. Too young to have left. We will miss you dearly, Dax. Good luck my friend,” Benítez wrote.

Cecilia Vega published her own tribute, writing next to a photo of Tejera: ‘Your smile. Your laughter. your dedication. Your deep love for Verónica and your beautiful daughters. Her pride in her work. The way you cared for the next generation and fought to pave the way for Latinos who were coming up.

‘The way you yourself broke down the barriers. The way he always encouraged me and believed in me. Your chic Miami style and the fact that even on the coldest days you never wore socks. Dax Tejera, you left too soon.

‘We will miss everything about you. Your family was so lucky to have you. Your legacy lives on in all those you stood up for and encouraged.’

Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a senior producer in the network’s Washington DC office.

He previously worked at NBC and earned degrees from Dartmouth and Columbia.