Topline: The infant was in a bouncer seat between two vehicles while the mother cleaned cars in a friend’s garage, prosecutors say.
Published: May 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
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JACKSON TWP., NJ — A New Jersey mother is facing criminal charges after her 10-month-old son was fatally struck by a vehicle she was moving in a driveway while unlicensed
Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on May 17, 2025, resulting in the death of her infant son, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to an address on Grawtown Road around 6:15 p.m. for a report of a “child having been struck by a motor vehicle,” prosecutors said.
Responding officers found an unresponsive 10-month-old boy with serious injuries. The child was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced deceased.
Prosecutors say an investigation revealed Castillo-Torres brought her 10-month-old son to the address on Grawtown Road, where she used a friend’s garage to clean motor vehicles. The infant was positioned in a bouncer seat between two vehicles.
Upon completion of the vehicle cleanings, Castillo-Torres entered one of the vehicles to move it; instead of placing the vehicle in reverse, however, she placed the vehicle in drive—trapping the infant between the two vehicles, authorities said.
Castillo-Torres immediately put the vehicle in reverse, and a “companion” called 911.
The investigation further revealed that Castillo-Torres did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, according to investigators.
Castillo-Torres was served with the aforementioned charge via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Prosecutors: Unlicensed Woman Mistakenly Shifted Into Drive, Killed 10-Month-Old Son
The infant was in a bouncer seat between two vehicles while the mother cleaned cars in a friend’s garage, prosecutors say.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
JACKSON TWP., NJ — A New Jersey mother is facing criminal charges after her 10-month-old son was fatally struck by a vehicle she was moving in a driveway while unlicensed
Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on May 17, 2025, resulting in the death of her infant son, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to an address on Grawtown Road around 6:15 p.m. for a report of a “child having been struck by a motor vehicle,” prosecutors said.
Responding officers found an unresponsive 10-month-old boy with serious injuries. The child was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced deceased.
Prosecutors say an investigation revealed Castillo-Torres brought her 10-month-old son to the address on Grawtown Road, where she used a friend’s garage to clean motor vehicles. The infant was positioned in a bouncer seat between two vehicles.
Upon completion of the vehicle cleanings, Castillo-Torres entered one of the vehicles to move it; instead of placing the vehicle in reverse, however, she placed the vehicle in drive—trapping the infant between the two vehicles, authorities said.
Castillo-Torres immediately put the vehicle in reverse, and a “companion” called 911.
The investigation further revealed that Castillo-Torres did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, according to investigators.
Castillo-Torres was served with the aforementioned charge via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Prosecutors: Unlicensed Woman Mistakenly Shifted Into Drive, Killed 10-Month-Old Son
The infant was in a bouncer seat between two vehicles while the mother cleaned cars in a friend’s garage, prosecutors say.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
JACKSON TWP., NJ — A New Jersey mother is facing criminal charges after her 10-month-old son was fatally struck by a vehicle she was moving in a driveway while unlicensed
Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on May 17, 2025, resulting in the death of her infant son, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to an address on Grawtown Road around 6:15 p.m. for a report of a “child having been struck by a motor vehicle,” prosecutors said.
Responding officers found an unresponsive 10-month-old boy with serious injuries. The child was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced deceased.
Prosecutors say an investigation revealed Castillo-Torres brought her 10-month-old son to the address on Grawtown Road, where she used a friend’s garage to clean motor vehicles. The infant was positioned in a bouncer seat between two vehicles.
Upon completion of the vehicle cleanings, Castillo-Torres entered one of the vehicles to move it; instead of placing the vehicle in reverse, however, she placed the vehicle in drive—trapping the infant between the two vehicles, authorities said.
Castillo-Torres immediately put the vehicle in reverse, and a “companion” called 911.
The investigation further revealed that Castillo-Torres did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, according to investigators.
Castillo-Torres was served with the aforementioned charge via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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