Baby Hit, Killed By Vehicle In 'Tragic Accident' In Ocean County; Mother Charged

JACKSON, NJ — A Lakehurst woman has been charged in connection with the death of her 10-month-old baby after she hit him with a motor vehicle while he was in a bouncer seat on Saturday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, has been charged with causing death while driving without a valid driver's license, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The incident happened about 6:15 p.m. Saturday, the prosecutor's office said.

Castillo-Torres had brought her son with her to a home on Grawtown Road in Jackson, where she was using a friend's garage to clean vehicles, the prosecutor's office said.

The infant was put in a bouncer seat that was placed between two vehicles, authorities said. When she was done with the vehicle cleaning, Castillo-Torres got into one of the vehicles to move it, but instead of putting it in reverse, put the vehicle in drive, trapping the baby between the two vehicles. She immediately put it in reverse and a companion called 911, the prosecutor's office said.

Jackson police responded and the baby was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Investigators learned Castillo-Torres did not have a valid driver’s license and she was served with the causing a death charge via summons pending future court appearances, the prosecutor's office said.

"Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time," Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit investigated.

Note: This article has been updated to correct the day the incident happened. Patch regrets the error.