Two New Jersey dad and mom have been charged within the homicide of their very own 3-month-old daughter in a surprising alleged crime that left neighbors in disbelief.
Showing just about from jail, Caitlin Gibson and Ruben Santiago went earlier than a choose Thursday for the primary time since they have been charged with murdering their toddler daughter.
A 911 name from Gibson introduced first responders to the couple’s house advanced in Lakewood Monday night.
“I think she’s having a hard time breathing,” the mom could possibly be heard telling the dispatcher over the telephone. “She was sick, she was just in the hospital last night…she was discharged and she was kind of OK today.”
Gibson stated her daughter’s problem respiratory got here “all of a sudden.”
Police discovered the toddler unresponsive. She died at a hospital the subsequent day.
Prosecutors alleged an post-mortem revealed the newborn died from extreme head accidents, together with blunt power trauma that brought about fracturing and bleeding close to the mind. Investigators stated the dad and mom have been chargeable for the toddler’s dying, however haven’t offered extra particulars.
Gibson and Santiago have been charged with first-degree homicide. Each dad and mom stated little throughout their courtroom look.
“A 3-month-old baby, that is nerve-wracking. A baby not knowing what to do in that moment to protect itself…it’s unbelievable,” stated neighbor Zhane Oxner, who works for a non-profit baby advocacy group.
Oxner has a 3-month-old daughter of her personal.
“There’s many, many places and many, many people in this world that want a baby, want a child or want to protect,” stated Oxner.
Each Gibson and Santiago are represented by the general public defender’s workplace. Hearings set for Might 13 to find out if the dad and mom must be launched or stay in jail till trial.
