NJ Mother, Man Charged With Murder In 8-Month-Old's Death

PATERSON, NJ — Two people, including the baby's mother, were charged Tuesday with murdering an 8-month-old infant, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. The investigation stemmed from Oct. 25, when the baby was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's University Medical Center.

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Ashley Roman and Joshua Delgado brought the baby to the hospital, authorities said. Roman, 20, of Wallington, is the infant's mother, and Delgado is not related to the child, according to the prosecutor's office.

The prosecutor's office opened an immediate investigation and interviewed multiple witnesses. The New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner's Office ruled the infant's death a homicide Oct. 27.

Roman and Delgado were charged with first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Delgado, 22, of Paterson, was also charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park (second-degree) and heroin possession (third-degree).

Delgado is in the Bergen County Jail, while officials put Roman in the Passaic County Jail. The prosecutor's office filed motions for pretrial detention, which a Superior Court judge will hear next week.

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