New Jersey Man Faces Homicide Charge in Death of Infant Daughter
A 39-year-old New Jersey man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of his 2-month-old daughter after a lengthy investigation by local authorities.
Prosecutors said James A. Capo Jr. of Phillipsburg was taken into custody on June 23, 2026, following a 14-month investigation into the death of his daughter, Sophia Capo. He now faces one count of first-degree homicide and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The case began in April 2025 after emergency responders were called to a residence in Lopatcong Township for reports of an unresponsive infant.
Infant Died Days After Hospitalization
According to investigators, officers arrived at the home on April 17, 2025, after receiving a report that the baby had allegedly fallen from a baby rocker. Police immediately began life-saving measures before emergency medical personnel transported the infant to a nearby hospital.
Due to the seriousness of her condition, Sophia was later airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for specialized treatment. Despite medical efforts, she died on April 24, 2025.
A preliminary autopsy determined that the infant’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Medical officials ruled the manner of death as homicide, prompting an extensive criminal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Investigation Led to Father’s Arrest
Authorities said detectives from the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit worked alongside the Lopatcong Township Police Department throughout the investigation. The Warren County Regional Crime Scene Team also assisted in gathering evidence.
Following the investigation, prosecutors filed criminal charges against Capo, who is currently being held at the Warren County Correctional Center while awaiting his initial court appearance.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the homicide charge. The additional child endangerment charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years under New Jersey law.
As the criminal proceedings move forward, officials have not released additional details regarding the evidence that led to the charges.
