Police: Baby Kidnapped By Father Found Dead In Car Trunk
CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) –The father of a one month old baby is facing a first degree murder charge tonight after investigators he killed his son and hid the body in the trunk of a stolen car, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
BSO says Janus Saintil will also face at least one count of armed kidnapping.
According to investigators, Saintil was heading to a North Lauderdale Wal-Mart Thursday night with his son, Josiah, and three others, including the boys' mother, Claudia Harriott.
At some point, detectives say, Saintil became angry at Harriott, pulled a gun and forced the group to drive to Port Saint Lucie.
BSO says Saintil dropped the baby off at an unknown address then took his victims to a second house in Port St. Lucie. Investigators say Saintil then took the group to an ATM, where Saintil tried to force one victim to get cash.
The victim yelled for help and Saintil left in a black, four-door Kia Spectra.
At that point, BSO says it's unclear what Saintil did but by late Friday morning an Amber Alert was issued for his son. State officials said in the alert that Saintil was armed and dangerous and had a lengthy criminal history and an outstanding warrant for armed robbery.
BSO says Coral Springs Police developed information along with the U.S. Marshal's Service that Saintil might be headed to an apartment complex at 11000 Royal Palm Boulevard.
Police say Saintil arrived in the stolen Kia with Harriott in the car and inadvertently parked next to a police officer who was looking for him.
Investigators say Saintil was arrested without incident.
"By the time that he opened the door he didn't have a chance to do anything," said Coral Springs Police Chief Tony Tustizzi. "Thank God he didn't fight."
The officer searched the car and discovered little Josiah's body in the trunk.
Hours later the Broward County Medical Examiner took the child's body to perform an autopsy and determine how the child died.
By nightfall, crime scene investigators brought the car to the BSO Crime Lab to begin piecing together the clues of a unthinkable crime.
"It was almost like this baby was carelessly discarded inside the trunk," said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti. "Total lack of respect for the baby's life. Very tragic and if you're a parent it's got to tug at your heartstrings."
Josiah's mother was also taken in for questioning but investigators say she was a victim in all this.
People wh
o witnessed the crime scene unfold right across from their homes said Harriott's heart must be broken.
"My heart goes out to her," said Kiky Torres. "I have kids myself and I can't even imagine what she's going through right now."
Investigators say they do not have a motive for the killing.
