Pregnant Woman Stabbed To Death In Perth Amboy, Man Arrested

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — A man allegedly stabbed to death a woman who was six months pregnant Thursday night in Perth Amboy, killing her and her unborn child, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Benny M. Pichardo Santos Arias, 25, of Perth Amboy, has been arrested and charged with murder in the first degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the third degree, and hindering his own apprehension in the third degree.

The woman was 20 years old. At approximately 9:09 p.m. Thursday, Perth Amboy police were called to the intersection of Sayre and Steadman avenues, where they found the woman with multiple stab wounds. It is not yet known if she was in an apartment or on the street when she was found. The Middlesex County prosecutor did not respond when asked by Patch if the victim knew her alleged murderer.

The victim, Esmeralda Cedeno, was transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy where she was pronounced dead from her injuries. The baby also did not survive. Autopsies on both are pending with the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The incident is being investigated by Detective Frank Cristiano of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Erik Larsen of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Santos Arias is being held at the Middlesex County Correction Center in North Brunswick pending a Detention Hearing.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Cristiano at (732) 324-3800, or Detective Larsen at (732) 745-3263.