New Jersey man charged with attempted murder and sexual abuse of a child

A 33-year-old New Jersey man was arrested for attempted sexual abuse and murder of a child under the age of 13 in Fairview.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that Julio Amaro-Vasquez is in custody following an attack on the unidentified child that was reported by police on Monday. He is being held in the Bergen County Jail while he awaits his court date in Hackensack.

An investigation by the Bergen County District Attorney’s Office and Fairview Police found, according to NJ.com, “Amaro-Vasquez is accused of choking the child until she lost consciousness before attempting to sexually assault the victim.”

A second suspect, 30-year-old Marlin Cervantes-Santos, was arrested for instructing two children to lie to investigators. That suspect had a romantic relationship with Amaro-Vasquez, prosecutors said.

The relationship between the accused and his alleged victim is unclear.

Amaro-Vasquez faces additional charges, including second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree attempted sexual assault by assault, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.