SAYERVILLE, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A father accused of killing his 9-year-old son found in a burning car in New Jersey last week was charged with murder, prosecutors said Monday.
Manuel Rivera, 43, was charged with murder, aggravated arson, and desecration of human remains, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Police were called to the family's home on Eisenhower Drive in Sayerville at around 10:45 p.m. Thursday and were told Rivera had left the residence with the boy.
At approximately the same time, a fire was reported near Sayreville War Memorial High School.
Mary-Lyn Buckley
When police arrived at the school, they found Rivera next to the burning car authorities said he had doused with gasoline. Rivera had burns to his body and a self-inflicted wound. He was taken to an area hospital.
Rivera allegedly got into a domestic dispute with his son's mother at the home before leaving the house with the boy.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Michael Pirigyi of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-3289.
