A New Jersey mother is facing charges after allegedly crushing her son to death while attempting to move a car.
Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, was charged with causing death while driving without a valid driver’s license after the incident, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
That charge was announced on May 17, the same day Castillo-Torres allegedly murdered her child while washing cars in the driveway of a friend’s house.
The Jackson Township Police arrived at the scene shortly after 6 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from the residence, according to an Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office news release.
Officers quickly responded by transporting the unresponsive 10-month-old infant, who had serious injuries, to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Monmouth Medical Center, according to the release.
Billhimer claimed that Castillo-Torres had put her son in a bouncer seat between two cars while she was washing them that day.
Once finished, Castillo-Torres got into one of the vehicles to move it, but instead of putting it in reverse, she put it in drive, he explained. Her son, who was sitting in the bouncer seat between the two vehicles, was crushed after becoming trapped between them.
When Castillo-Torres realized what was going on, she quickly shifted into reverse, but it was too late, according to the release.
When authorities arrived on the scene and began investigating the incident, they allegedly discovered that Castillo-Torres did not have a license. Soon after, charges were filed.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident,” Billhimer stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”
Castillo-Torres was served with a summons for future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.