New Jersey Father Sentenced to 25 Years for Fatal Beating of Infant Daughter

Ruben Santiago, a 37-year-old resident of Lakewood Township, received a 25-year prison sentence on Friday for the aggravated manslaughter of his three-month-old daughter. The sentencing follows a guilty plea from Santiago, who admitted to inflicting the fatal blunt force trauma that led to the infant's death in May 2025. Emergency responders initially arrived at the family's Pinehurst Drive residence after receiving reports of an unresponsive child, but the infant succumbed to a fractured skull and brain hemorrhaging the following day.

Medical examinations revealed a history of severe abuse, noting that the victim had suffered seven broken ribs and a fractured wrist in various stages of healing prior to her death. While Santiago initially attempted to attribute the injuries to an accidental drop, prosecutors successfully argued that the physical evidence contradicted his claims. During the proceedings, defense attorney Glenn Kassman acknowledged the indefensible nature of the crime, stating that financial stress provided no rationalization for the violence. The victim's mother was previously cleared of all charges after evidence confirmed she was not present during the incident. Judge Guy P. Ryan condemned the act as heinous, emphasizing that common life stressors do not excuse the brutal treatment of a defenseless child.