New Jersey man tried to kill and sexually abuse a child, authorities say

A Bergen County man was arrested Monday on suspicion of killing and sexually abusing a child under the age of 13, authorities said.

Julio Amaro-Vasquez, 33, of Ridgefield, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree aggravated sexual assault and other charges in connection with Monday’s attack in Fairview, authorities said.

According to Bergen County District Attorney Mark Musella, Amaro-Vasquez is accused of choking the child until she lost consciousness and then attempting to sexually assault the victim.

Amaro-Vasquez was also charged with second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree attempted sexual assault by physical contact and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Information on Amaro-Vasquez’s attorney was not available.

Detectives also arrested Marlin Cervantes-Santos, 30, of Fairview, who they said had a relationship with Amaro-Vasquez and instructed two children to give false information to investigators, Musella said.

Cervantes-Santos was charged with two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and was being held in the Bergen County Jail. Cervantes-Santos’ attorney’s information was not available.

Anthony G. Attrino can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.