| Site Navigator |
Beloved Doe Identified! Mother Arrested and ChargedAn unidentified male child nicknamed ,"Beloved Doe" who was discovered dead in a dumpster in Houston, Texas in 2003 has been identified do to your help.April 25, 2008 HOUSTON TX NEWS -- Tips from the public led to the arrest and the discovery of the identity of "Beloved Doe" as Jose Bernardo Martinez. Jose Bernardo Martinez was born on October 14, 1997. He was 5 years old at the time of his death. "Beloved Doe" was the nickname given to the unidentified child, whose remains were discovered in a dumpster inside the Willow Creek Apartment Complex, address 7575 Office City Drive, Houston, Texas on the morning of Thursday, March 13, 2003. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of "Beloved Doe", his parents, or caretaker. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Andrew R. Bland, III and Houston Police Department Chief Harold Hurtt announce the arrest of Maria Dana Martinez, 30, charged in the death of "Beloved Doe." Martinez was taken into custody last evening by officers of the Houston Police Department and agents of the FBI assigned to the Violent Crimes/Gang Task Force. This morning, the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Special Crimes Bureau, filed charges of Felony Murder-Injury to a Child by Omission against Martinez. The Houston office of the FBI joined the Houston Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety's ongoing investigation into the death of this child in the hopes of generating the information needed to solve this case. The media coverage and public's interest in the "Beloved Doe" investigation was critically important in solving this cold case. The tips following Tuesday night's Spanish language network broadcast of Aqui y Ahora on Univision, specifically led to the identification and arrest. The tips came in to Crime-Stoppers and the Houston office of the FBI. A medical examination of the body indicated the toddler died of malnutrition and dehydration. No other signs of abuse or injuries were indicated in the report. Evidence recovered from the sene suggest the possibility that the child received prior medical treatment, perhaps at a hospital or other medical facility. At the time of his death, "Beloved Doe" was wearing a white disposable diaper with bears depicted on the front. He was wrapped in a gray Afghan-style blanket and placed in a red and white checkered plastic bag. The investigation is still ongoing. Now that "Beloved Doe's" identity is known, we are asking for the continued assistance of the public. Anyone who has knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the life and death of Jose Bernardo Martinez is encouraged to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000 or toll free at 1-888-FBI-IDEN (1-888-324-4336). Published by: # # # |