A New Jersey man who was charged in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, prosecutors said. On January 15, 2026, Ruben Santiago, 36, of Lakewood, pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutors announced. Last ye ar, Santiago, alongside Caitlin Gibson, both of Lakewood, were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in the death of their three-month-old daughter. Prosecutors said that on May 5, 2025, around 7:20 p.m., officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a residence on Pinehurst Drive for a report of a three-month-old infant having difficulty breathing.  When officers got to the scene, prosectuors said the infant was found to be unresponsive.  Medics immediately began to administer medical attention to the infant. She was then transported to the hospital, where she died a day later on May 6. Prosecutors said on May 7, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a post-mortem examination of the baby and determined that her cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, causing fracturing and subdural hematoma. The manner of death was ruled homicide. Following an investigation, prosecutors said it revealed that Santiago and Gibson, parents of the infant, were responsible for the child’s death, and they were taken into custody. Prosecutors said that at the time of Santiago’s sentencing on March 4, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 25 years in New Jersey State Prison. The charges against Gibson remain pending, prosecutors said. ...read more read less