Brick Township, NJ – A 20-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her 2-year-old brother in the chest inside their family home. Marlene Rodriguez was taken into custody on Saturday and faces several felony charges, including attempted murder and child endangerment.
Brick Township Police responded to a 911 call reporting a medical emergency around 2:30 PM on Saturday. Upon arrival, officers found the young boy suffering from a stab wound and called for emergency medical personnel to transport him to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
The child sustained severe but non-life-threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition as of Sunday morning. Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office discovered that Rodriguez was responsible for the stabbing.
She was arrested at the Brick Township Police Headquarters and is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing. Rodriguez is also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the Major Crime Unit, the local police department, and the Sheriff’s Office. No details regarding a motive for the attack have been released.