A 9-month-old boy was killed Friday when an alleged illegal immigrant from Guatemala crashed into his mother and the baby carriage carrying him and his 5-year-old sister in the parking lot of a kosher grocery store in Jackson, New Jersey, according to authorities. The infant was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where all three victims were transported. The mother and her 5-year-old daughter remained hospitalized in stable condition.
Maria Cobon-Guzman was charged with manslaughter in connection with the crash. A second woman, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, was also charged after she reportedly allowed Cobon-Guzman to drive her car knowing she was unlicensed. An inmate report listed Lazaro-Flores as charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. Both women illegally entered the United States during the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS said Lazaro-Flores entered the country illegally five times in October 2023 and was removed each time, then last crossed the border at an unknown place and time. Cobon-Guzman entered once and was released unvetted into the nation's interior. On July 31, an immigration judge issued an order of removal against her. A DHS spokesperson said an innocent baby would still be alive had it not been for the previous administration's open border and reckless immigration policy.
The agency is urging the Ocean County Jail to honor ICE detainers on both women. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat who signed legislation codifying the state's Immigrant Trust Directive, had not commented as of Tuesday morning. A spokesman directed inquiries to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, who did not immediately respond. The Trust Directive, drafted by a predecessor, limits voluntary assistance New Jersey law enforcement may provide to DHS.
New Jersey Republicans criticized Trenton leadership, saying the state's sanctuary policies created conditions that allowed the tragedy to occur. The state party said in a statement that an innocent baby is dead, a mother and another child were seriously injured, and ICE is seeking custody of the two women charged in connection with the crash. The party argued New Jersey must comply with ICE detainers and that Governor Sherrill has a responsibility to put the safety of New Jersey families ahead of sanctuary policies.
Observers noted the governor's relative silence on the matter, pointing to her social media activity on other topics, including a critique of President Donald Trump's actions regarding Iran. One response questioned why she was not addressing the highest property taxes in the US or stopping illegal immigrants from killing and maiming residents. Another asked whether she had any comment yet.