unnamed girl
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CANDID ID: NJ_22_1973
AGE
Infant
STATE
New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH
11/10/2022
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On November 10, 2022, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, 22-year-old Radamez Santana killed his four-month-old daughter by inflicting traumatic head injuries. According to court papers, Santana told police he threw the baby into a swing and then onto the floor next to the bed. After being thrown, the baby cried but eventually her lips turned grey and she stopped breathing. Santana contacted the baby's mother, who called 911. The infant was transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner determined the head injuries were not consistent with Santana's account. Santana was arrested on November 15 and charged with first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The news article states: "Santana told police he had thrown the baby into a swing and then onto the floor next to the bed." This describes an inflicted injury — forcefully throwing the infant. The medical examiner report lists the cause of death as "Traumatic Head Injuries" with the manner as "Homicide," confirming the injuries were inflicted.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The medical examiner report lists the cause of death as "Traumatic Head Injuries" with the manner as "Homicide." The news article states that the autopsy doctor "told police the head injuries were not consistent with the statement given by Santana at the time of the incident," suggesting the injuries were more severe than what Santana described (throwing the baby). While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, fatal traumatic head injuries in a 4-month-old ruled as homicide constitute abusive head trauma.

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The news article headline reads "Perth Amboy father charged with killing infant" and states "Radamez Santana was arrested Nov. 15 and charged with one count of first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child." The article explicitly identifies Santana as having killed "his four-month-old daughter," confirming he is the biological father.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The news article states: "Radamez Santana was arrested Nov. 15 and charged with one count of first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child." He was held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

The news article notes a significant discrepancy between the father's initial account and the medical evidence: "The doctor told police the head injuries were not consistent with the statement given by Santana at the time of the incident." This led detectives to speak further with Santana, who then "provided a voluntary audio and video recorded statement" the next day. The inconsistency between the stated mechanism (throwing into a swing and onto the floor) and the actual severity of injuries suggests the true mechanism of injury may have been more violent than initially disclosed.

Lives Cut Short