Authorities in Morris County seek information regarding Mr. Edwin A. Urbina, 27, with a last known address of 14-02 Clyde Potts Drive, Morristown.
Officials said Urbina has been charged by complaint-warrant with first-degree Murder, second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence in connection with this matter.
These charges arise in connection with the beating death of Urbina’s girlfriend’s three-year-old son.
According to authorities, on August 13, shortly after 5:00 a.m., officers from the Morristown Police Department responded to the Morristown Medical Center in Morristown on a report of a three-year-old male in cardiac arrest.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the child had sustained several physical injuries.
Following an autopsy, Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca, M.D., determined the manner of death to be homicide.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the child's fatal beating occurred at the Oyo Hotel, 130 Rt. 10 West in East Hanover.
Officials alleged that Urbina physically beat the three-year-old boy in the early morning hours of August 13, resulting in the boy’s death and that the victim’s mother, Krystal Straw, was not present during the assault but arrived at the hotel shortly after that.
It is alleged that after her arrival, Straw transported Urbina to another location before bringing the victim to the Morristown Medical Center.
It is further alleged that Urbina instructed Straw to delete content from her cellular telephone and deny his involvement in the homicide when speaking to the police.
Urbina remains a fugitive at this time. He should not be approached and is considered dangerous. An image of Urbina is attached above.
Police said Ms. Krystal Straw has also been charged in connection with this matter. Specifically, she has been charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third-degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, third-degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence. She remains lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance scheduled for August 18, 2021.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the East Hanover Police Department, the Morristown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation is active and ongoing. No other information is being released at this time.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Edwin Urbina or any other information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200, the East Hanover Police Department at 973-887-0432, or Morris County CrimeStoppers at 973-267-2255.