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A 22-year-old Tennessee father has been charged with first-degree murder after police discovered the body of his 3-year-old son inside a suitcase in a wooded area near the Wolf River Harbor.
According to a Memphis Police Department press release and court affidavits, officers initially responded to a custodial interference call on Sunday, July 19, in the 3200 block of Southbridge Street.
A mother reported that her son, 3-year-old Joseph Martinez, was missing after leaving the residence with his father, Saul Martinez, without permission the previous day.
On Monday, July 20, around 7:57 a.m., officers returned to the Southbridge Street home when Saul Martinez came back without the boy. Police detained him at the scene to begin an investigation.
An affidavit states that Octavio Martinez, the suspect’s father, told investigators Saul entered his bedroom around midnight on Saturday asking for money. Octavio said Saul took his car keys without permission, dragged a large suitcase to the car, set it in the front passenger seat, and drove off. Saul returned hours later to drop off the keys before leaving again.
When Saul returned Monday morning, family members confronted him. According to the affidavit, Saul allegedly admitted to family members that he had left the child’s body in the river.
Investigators developed information pointing to the 100 block of North Front Street. Officers responded to the area, where Saul allegedly pointed out a wooded section connected to the Wolf River Harbor. Police located the suitcase at that location and found Joseph’s body inside.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Saul Martinez and charged him with First-Degree Murder, First-Degree Murder in Perpetration of a Felony (Aggravated Child Abuse), Aggravated Child Abuse, Abuse of a Corpse, and Tampering with Evidence.
Police have not released a motive for the child’s death.
Following the arrest, relatives and loved ones set up a fundraiser to help the family manage expenses.
“Joseph was more than a name. He was someone’s precious baby, grandson, and loved one,” organizers wrote on the GoFundMe page. “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. 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.”
READ: Polk County Man Arrested After Crossing State Lines To Pick Up 16-Year-Old Pennsylvania Teen
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Tennessee Father Arrested After 3-Year-Old Missing Son Found Dead Inside Suitcase
