California teen charged with murder, sexual assault in 2-year-old foster brother’s death

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (TCN) -- An 18-year-old has been charged in connection with the death and sexual abuse of his 2-year-old foster brother.

The San Jose Police Department announced in a press release that officers responded to a report April 5 of a toddler unresponsive in his crib. The child was taken to a hospital for treatment, where medical professionals noted suspicious injuries. He was placed on life support and an investigation began. 

Investigators learned the infant’s foster brother had allegedly sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect, 17 at the time, was arrested and jailed on various sexual abuse-related charges on April 8. The following day, the victim, known as Baby Jaxon, died of his injuries. 

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced the suspect was charged in juvenile court with murder and nine other felony counts, including child assault causing death and assault with a hair tie. KTVU reports that the hair tie was found around the child’s neck.

The child was also the suspect’s cousin. He had reportedly been in the care of the suspect’s family since February. According to the DA, the infant had allegedly undergone repeated sexual and physical assault at the hands of the suspect.

Police said the child had been placed with a caregiver with a criminal history. Bridget Michelle Martinez was arrested and booked, according to police, and was later released. In 2014, she had been convicted of felony child endangerment after driving under the influence with her 1-year-old child in the car, according to KQED.

Baby Jaxon had been placed in county custody in 2025 after his mother died from alcohol abuse, per KQED. His grandparents served as his guardians and the state required that he have regular visits with his father for the grandparents to retain custody. The state requirements made it difficult for the grandparents to maintain custody, so Jaxon was transferred to the care of Martinez in February.

The outlet reports that family members in Arizona wanted to take him in, but the state would reportedly not allow it because they lived too far from Jaxon’s father. The child’s aunt, Riley Wallace, said, “It is completely unacceptable. They did not protect a child, and that’s their job, that’s what they took the child for, to protect him. And they failed him so terribly.” Wallace said that her family plans to sue the state agency.

“Jaxon will never have a chance at life,” DA Jeff Rosen said. “Jaxon will never have any way to tell his own story. My office will speak for him and all the lost children as we seek justice.”

According to the DA’s office, prosecutors are working to transfer the suspect’s case to adult court. KQED reports that he is due in court on May 21 and will have an attorney appointed.

An autopsy of Baby Jaxon is pending and the investigation is ongoing.

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