Memphis, Tennessee — A 22-year-old father has been charged with first-degree murder after the body of his 3-year-old son was discovered inside a suitcase in a wooded area near the Wolf River Harbor.

Saul Martinez was arrested Monday after the remains of Joseph Martinez were recovered from a brown suitcase left in a wooded area at Second Street and Plum Avenue. Police say the child had been taken from his mother’s home without permission during a custodial interference incident reported on Sunday, July 19.

According to court documents, Martinez returned to the home early Monday morning without the boy. Family members confronted him, and his father later told investigators he had seen Saul dragging a large suitcase to a vehicle and driving away. Martinez then led officers to the location where he had left the suitcase containing his son’s body.

In a statement to police, Martinez allegedly confessed to killing the child and placing the body in the suitcase. He faces charges including first-degree murder, first-degree murder in the perpetration of a felony (aggravated child abuse), aggravated child abuse, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. No bond has been set.

A memorial gathering was held for the toddler as the community expressed shock and grief. The investigation remains ongoing.

Sources:

• Memphis Police Department
• WREG, Action News 5, and Fox 13 Memphis reports