Nakija Martin
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman
announce the arrest of Nakija Martin, 48 years old, of Passaic, New Jersey. Ms. Martin is charged
with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, second degree.
On July 15, 2025, at approximately 8:30 a.m., members of the Passaic Police Department
responded to a residence in the area of Aspen Place and State Street in Passaic, New Jersey on a
report of an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, officers located Nakija Martin and her deceased 6-
year-old son. During the investigation, it was discovered that Martin had unsuccessfully attempted
to commit suicide and it is believed that she had intended to kill her autistic son. The cause and
manner of the child’s death are pending the results of the autopsy.
Based on the investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Special Victims
Unit, on July 29, 2025, Nakija Martin was charged with second degree endangering the welfare of a
child. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The sentencing exposure on second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child is 5 to 10
years in New Jersey State Prison.
On August 5, 2025, Nakija Martin appeared before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, J.S.C.
and she consented to pretrial detention.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite the accusation, defendants are
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law.
Any inquiries may be directed to Passaic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer
Fetterman at jfetterman@passaiccountynj.org or 973-881-4811.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO, email tips@passaiccountynj.org, or
submit an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips.
