NJ Dad Charged With Murder After Infant Daughter's Death

NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ — A Bergen County man and woman face multiple charges after their 2-month-old daughter stopped breathing and eventually died at a Hackensack hospital.

Aaron Medrano of North Arlington faces murder, aggravated assault and child endangerment charges, while Patricia Artese, also of North Arlington, faces a charge of child endangerment, the Bergen County prosecutor announced.

This comes after North Arlington police were called to Medrano and Artese's residence Dec. 23 on a report that a 2-month-old child wasn't breathing. Officials took the child to Hackensack Meridian Hospital for treatment, where it was found that the child suffered "numerous injuries," prosecutors said.

An investigation by prosecutors and police determined that Medrano caused the injuries to the child, prosecutors said.

Artese and Medrano were initially arrested Dec. 30. Medrano was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. However, after his daughter died Jan. 5, Medrano also was charged with murder.

He was taken to Bergen County Jail, where he awaits a first appearance in court. Artese was released on a summons Dec. 30.