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UPDATE: Charges Upgraded to Manslaughter for Bergen County Father who Allegedly Brutally Beat Twins

Bergen County

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced an additional charge of Aggravated Manslaughter against Jonathan Melendez.

According to authorities, on Wednesday, October 23, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit initiated an investigation regarding twin infants brought to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, with significant injuries, including multiple fractures and head trauma.

Authorities says as a result of that investigation, it was learned that the infants had been in the custody of their biological father, Melendez in Teaneck when the injuries were sustained.

Police say Melendez was arrested by the Teaneck Police Department and charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Endangering The Welfare Of A Child and remanded to the Bergen County Jail.

On Thursday, Hackensack University Medical Center advised the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit that one of the infants had succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m.

Authorities say following notification, the Teaneck Police Department charged Melendez with one count of Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(1), a 1st degree crime.

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