LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A Lakewood man charged with the murder of his infant daughter will remain in the Ocean County Jail until his trial, a judge ruled Tuesday, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Ruben Santiago, 36, was ordered detained by Superior Court Judge David M. Fritch following a hearing held May 20. Santiago was charged with murder after being arrested earlier this month in connection with the child’s death.
Santiago has been in custody since May 7, when he was apprehended along with co-defendant Caitlin Gibson, 28, also of Lakewood. Both are lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
Gibson is scheduled to appear in court for her detention hearing on Wednesday at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, who is retired and temporarily assigned on recall.
Prosecutors did not release further details of the underlying allegations. The detention hearing for Santiago was presented by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill.
Ongoing legal proceedings
No trial date has been set for Santiago or Gibson, and the charges against both remain pending. Authorities have not publicly identified the infant or provided additional information regarding the cause of death.
Santiago’s continued detention comes as prosecutors move forward with their case. Gibson’s pretrial custody status will be determined at her upcoming hearing.
Additional proceedings are expected as the case progresses through the Ocean County court system.
A Lakewood father charged with murdering his infant daughter will stay behind bars as the case heads to trial.
