NJ Dad Charged With Murdering Ex, Kidnapping Son Appears In Court

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Wearing a bright orange prison jumpsuit, Tyler Rios made his first court appearance virtually on Tuesday where he faces charges of kidnapping his son, setting off an Amber Alert, and killing the boy's mother, 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar.

The virtual hearing was overseen by Union County Judge Richard Obuch, who read off Rios charges.

Rios, 27, of Highland Park is charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder using strangulation, and for violating a restraining order by standing outside of Uyar's Rahway home.

Rob Grady is serving as the prosecutor for Union County and Mary Ellen Gaffney represented Rios for the day.

The hearing lasted a matter of minutes and when finished Rios retreated back to the jail house.

Rios' detention hearing will be heard before Judge Richard Wischusen on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

The race to find the mother and son began Friday when Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare and Uyar did not arrive for work, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Grady, who is prosecuting the case.

Authorities said Tyler Rios was identified as a suspect in the case after Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare last Friday and Uyar did not arrive for scheduled work shifts, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Grady, who is prosecuting the case. A welfare check was conducted on Uyar's home by members of the Rahway Police Department, but no one was found inside.

Shortly thereafter, the State Police issued an Amber Alert that was sent to privately owned cell phones, broadcast on electronic billboards along highways in New Jersey and beyond, and widely shared via social media. Read More: Amber Alert Canceled For 2-Year-Old Boy, Mom In Union County

Rahway Police checked Uyar's home, but no one was found inside. As a result, an Amber Alert was issued.

On Saturday at about 3 a.m., the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee got a call from the Union County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey about the alleged abduction and that Rios, the former boyfriend of Uyar and father of Sebastian, may or could harm them.

Rios was reportedly driving a silver 2018 Ford Fiesta.

At about 3:15 a.m., Monterey Police Officers, along with Putnam County Deputies, found the silver Ford Fiesta at the parking lot of the Bethel Inn Hotel located near I-40 just off exit 301 in Monterey, Tennessee, said Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities found Rios was staying in a room at the hotel. Police tried to convince Rios to give up and leave his room but authorities said he refused to do so. Police subsequently entered the hotel room by force taking Rios into custody, the sheriff's office said.

The 2-year-old toddler was also inside the room, unharmed, and was immediately taken by police and placed in a safe location and cared for, according to authorities.

Police searched both the hotel room and the Ford Fiesta. The car was taken to the FBI forensic crime lab for further forensic analysis.

Rios led authorities to a wooded area inside Putnam County, just inside Monterey city limits on highway 70, where the dead body of Uyar was found, according to authorities.

Rios, who is from Highland Park but was charged with an East Orange address, is currently being held in Tennessee without bond pending extradition back to New Jersey, after which a first appearance and detention hearing will be scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court.

Uyar's mother, Karen, has been very public about her daughter's domestic violence troubles but reiterated that she is not just a victim. Read More: Mom In NJ, PA Amber Alert Found Dead In Tennessee

"While my family grieves the loss of Yasemin please remember she wasn't just a [domestic violence] victim. She was a Daughter, Sister, Mother, Aunt and Cousin. Her life will be Celebrated as her greatest gift to this world, Sebastian will still need ALL of our love and support," Karen Uyar said via social media. Read More: 'Her Voice Needs To Continue On': Slain Rahway Woman's Mom Speaks

A vigil is being planned for Friday at The Reformed Church of Highland Park at 19 S South Second Ave., in Highland Park at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to "wear bright attire as we are celebrating Yazzi's life," according to the flyer. Read More: Vigil To Celebrate Life Of NJ Mom Killed In Amber Alert

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