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

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

Prosecutors said Tuesday that Julio Amaro-Vasquez was in custody in connection with the attack on an unidentified child that police reported on Monday. He is in the Bergen County Jail awaiting trial in Hackensack.

An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Fairview Police Department found that “Amaro-Vasquez is accused of choking the child unconscious and then attempting to commit sexual assault,” according to NJ.com.

A second suspect, identified as 30-year-old Marlin Cervantes-Santos, was arrested for ordering two children to lie to investigators. Prosecutors said the suspect was romantically involved with Amaro-Vasquez.

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

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