A New Jersey man who surrendered to police in Vineland on Tuesday night has been charged with two counts of murder after the bodies of his ex-girlfriend and her 3-month-old daughter were discovered in a rural area west of Cumberland County.
Police said Santiago and Ramirez were co-parenting Genesis and two other children, a 5-year-old who was Santiago's son and an 8-year-old. Both children are in police custody and the biological father of Genesis was informed of her death, according to ABC 7.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive in the killings, but they believe Santiago's alleged actions may have stemmed from a dispute during the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to Vineland police, Ramirez and Genesis spent the holiday with family. On Nov. 28, a co-worker of Ramirez's located her abandoned 2005 Chevy Trailblazer on Route 55 northbound.
Officials said Santiago has been cooperative with the investigation and faces arraignment Thursday afternoon.
Vineland police have asked that anyone with information about the crime contact them at 856-691-4111 x4180 or the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-453-0486.