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Joseph Martinez’s remains were found after his father Saul Martinez was allegedly seen dragging a suitcase to a vehicle and driving off during the weekend
NEED TO KNOW
- Police allege Saul Martinez’s father saw him leave with a suitcase in a vehicle and driving off around midnight on Saturday, July 18
- Saul allegedly admitted to killing 3-year-old Joseph Martinez and leaving his body in a suitcase, per an affidavit
- Saul has been arrested on several charges including first-degree murder
Authorities in Tennessee have arrested a man in connection with the gruesome death of his toddler son.
The child, 3-year-old Joseph Martinez, was found deceased inside a suitcase in a wooded area in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, July 20, according to a Memphis Police Department press release and an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
His father, 22-year-old Saul Martinez, has been arrested on several charges including first-degree murder in connection with Joseph’s death, the press release states.
The investigation began on Sunday, July 19, when Joseph’s mother reported him missing and told police the child had last been seen with Saul the day before, according to the affidavit.
Saul’s father, Octavio Martinez, told police that Saul came to his room around midnight Saturday, asked for money and took his car keys without permission. Octavio said he then watched Saul drag a large suitcase to the car, place it in the front passenger seat and drive away, according to the affidavit.
Saul returned several hours later, handed Octavio the car keys and left again. When he came back Monday morning, family members confronted him, and he allegedly admitted that he had left Joseph’s body in the river, according to the affidavit.
Investigators allege Saul led them to a wooded area connected to the Wolf River Harbor, and showed them where the suitcase had been placed, per the affidavit. Investigators then found Joseph’s body inside.
“Joseph was more than a name. He was someone’s precious baby, grandson, and loved one,” his loved ones wrote in a GoFundMe set up to assist his family with expenses.
“He had a whole life ahead of him — a life that should have been filled with laughter, birthdays, hugs, playing, learning, and growing up surrounded by those who loved him,” reads part of the fundraiser. “Today, we grieve for baby Joseph. We say his name. We honor his precious life. And we stand together with a family whose hearts have been forever changed.”
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Police have not announced a possible motive behind the alleged killing.
Saul has been charged with first-degree murder; first-degree murder in perpetration of a felony; aggravated child abuse; abuse of a corpse; and tampering with evidence,
Online court records did not show plea information as of Wednesday. PEOPLE has reached out to an attorney listed on his court docket.
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 toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Read the original article on People
