Ocean County, NJ, Man Pleads Guilty in Infant Daughter’s Death
An Ocean County man is potentially facing a quarter of a century behind bars in connection with the death of his infant daughter last year.
On Thursday, 36-year-old Ruben Santiago of Lakewood pleaded guilty to an aggravated manslaughter charge.
Infant Found Unresponsive at Lakewood Home
Authorities said on the evening of May 5th, 2025, officers with the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a home on Pinehurst Drive for a report of a three-month-old infant having difficulty breathing.
First responders found the infant to be unresponsive and they immediately began to administer medical attention.
Medical Examiner Rules Death a Homicide
The infant was taken to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township and later transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. The infant was pronounced dead the following day.
On May 7th, the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office performed a post-mortem examination and "determined that the cause of the infant's death was blunt force trauma to the head causing fracturing and subdural hematoma, and the manner of death to be homicide."
Parents Taken Into Custody
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office revealed that Santiago and Caitlin Gibson, parents of the infant, were responsible for the child's death and they were both taken into custody.
Charges against Gibson remain pending.
Potential 25-year Prison Sentence
When he is sentenced in March, the State will be seeking a term of 25 years in state prison with an approximate period of 20 years of parole ineligibility.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com
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