A New Jersey couple has been indicted for the brutal killing of their 3-month-old baby girl, who investigators say suffered devastating injuries including a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a fractured wrist.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a grand jury last week indicted 36-year-old Ruben Santiago and 28-year-old Caitlin M. Gibson on one count each of murder.
Infant Found Unresponsive
On May 5, Lakewood Township police responded to a call from a home on Pinehurst Drive reporting that an infant was having difficulty breathing. Officers arrived to find the baby unresponsive, and paramedics quickly transported her to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township.
Due to the severity of her condition, the child was later transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Tragically, she died the following day, May 6.
Autopsy Reveals Brutal Injuries
An autopsy revealed the baby’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head, which fractured her skull and caused a subdural hematoma. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, describing the injuries as comparable to those seen in serious car accidents.
Additional injuries were also uncovered:
Seven broken ribs in various stages of healing
A fractured wrist, also healing
These findings pointed to a history of physical abuse, not a single isolated incident.
Parents’ Statements Under Scrutiny
At the hospital, the parents reportedly claimed their baby had been vomiting and had diarrhea for days and was treated with IV fluids the day before her death.
On the night of May 5, Santiago said he changed the baby’s diaper around 7 p.m. and laid her down, only for Gibson to discover her unresponsive 20 minutes later.
When questioned, Gibson refused to speak with investigators. Santiago, however, allegedly gave multiple conflicting explanations for his daughter’s injuries, including:
Dropping a glass bottle on her head
Dropping her while crouching or standing
The baby striking her head on a TV stand or the support beam of her bouncer
Indictment and Custody
Detectives concluded that both parents were responsible for their daughter’s death. Santiago and Gibson were arrested on May 7 at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters. They remain held at the Ocean County Jail without bond.
It is not yet clear when the couple will make their next court appearance.
The tragic death of a 3-month-old baby girl in Lakewood Township has left a community shaken. Prosecutors say the injuries she suffered reflected long-term abuse, ending with a fatal beating.
With her parents now indicted for murder, the case highlights the grim reality of child abuse and the importance of protecting society’s most vulnerable.
