A New Jersey couple has been formally indicted on charges of murdering their 3-month-old daughter, following a grand jury decision announced by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ruben Santiago, 36, and Caitlin M. Gibson, 28, of Lakewood Township, were originally arrested in May. They now face trial for the death of their infant, who was pronounced dead shortly after emergency responders were called to their home earlier this year.
On May 5, the couple dialed 911, reporting that their daughter was struggling to breathe. Emergency medical services rushed to the residence and “immediately began to administer medical attention to the infant,” according to officials. Despite their efforts, the baby died the following day.
An autopsy conducted on May 7 revealed the cause of death as “blunt force trauma to the head causing fracturing and subdural hematoma, and the manner of death to be a homicide.” The medical examiner described the injuries as “devastating” and comparable to the impact of a severe car accident.
The examination further found that the infant had suffered multiple injuries, including bleeding of the brain, seven broken ribs, and a fractured wrist. The extent of the trauma led investigators to conclude that the baby’s death was the result of significant and violent force.
Following the release of the autopsy results, both parents were arrested by Lakewood Township police and booked into the county jail. They have remained in custody without bond since their initial detention, per Ocean County public arrest records. Public records show that hearing dates for Santiago and Gibson have not yet been scheduled.
Prosecutors emphasized that the case will proceed to trial, though no timeline has been established. According to the prosecutor’s office, Santiago initially told investigators that he had accidentally dropped a glass bottle on his daughter’s head. However, he later changed his account, claiming he dropped the infant while attempting to remove her from a bouncer.
He said her head struck either a metal beam or a television stand during the fall. The conflicting explanations have become central to the investigation, as authorities work to piece together the exact circumstances of the baby’s fatal injuries. Prosecutors maintain that the evidence contradicts Santiago’s shifting narratives and supports the homicide charge.
The case has shocked the Lakewood Township community, with many residents expressing grief over the child’s tragic death. As the indictment moves the case closer to trial, both parents face the prospect of life in prison if convicted.