PGPD Arrests Suspect in Murder of One-Year-Old

Melvin Melendez

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit today arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a one-year-old baby left in his care. The suspect is 21-year-old Melvin Edenilson Melendez. The victim is one-year-old Jason Perez. Both lived in a home in the 5600 block of 30^th Avenue in Hyattsville.

On December 10, 2014, first responders were called to the home on 30^th Avenue for the report of an unresponsive child. Perez was rushed to a hospital where he died on December 12, 2014.

The preliminary investigation reveals the baby’s mother had gone to work and left her son in the care of Melendez. The victim’s mother and Melendez are in a romantic relationship. A few hours later, Melendez called 911 to report the child had fallen out of bed and wasn’t breathing. An autopsy revealed injuries inconsistent with a fall and the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The medical examiner’s office has ruled this a homicide.

Melendez was arrested on December 16, 2014. He’s charged with second degree murder and first degree child abuse resulting in death.

For more information, please call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.