A New Jersey man has been charged with arson after his son was found dead in a burning car, according to authorities.
Police responded to a report of a fire in Sayreville, NJ late Thursday night and found Manuel Rivera, 43, standing next to a burning car with his son inside, according to authorities. Rivera was suffering from burns and self-inflicted wounds, authorities said, according to NJ.com, ABC 7 NY and NBC New York.
The nature of his wound was not immediately clear.
The car that Rivera was standing near was allegedly doused with gasoline, the media reported. Authorities discovered the body of his 9-year-old son in the car.
Around the same time the fire was reported, police were also called to a local residence for a domestic dispute, according to the offices.
Authorities say a woman at the residence said Rivera left with their son after a domestic dispute late Thursday night, NBC New York and ABC 7 NY reported.
Prosecutors allege Rivera drove his son to a local high school and set the vehicle on fire nearby, NJ.com reports.
Rivera has been charged with aggravated arson, PIX 11 and ABC 7 NY report, citing officials, who say other charges could be added pending the child’s autopsy report.
Police say there is “no evidence” of arson that killed 5 children while dad was shopping
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IN statement released Friday, Sayreville Public Schools said a student at one of their schools has “tragically” died in a car fire and that the child’s father is a Sayreville Public Schools employee.
The statement expressed “great shock and sadness” at the child’s death, but gave no further details, citing an ongoing investigation.
It was unclear if Rivera, who was hospitalized as of last reported Friday afternoon, had retained an attorney on his behalf.
Anyone with information is urged to call Sayreville Detective Michael Pirigyi at 732-727-4444 or Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jose Rosario at 732-745-3289.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education