Suspect arrested in death of New Jersey kindergarten teacher is father of her children

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of a New Jersey kindergarten teacher found buried in a shallow grave - and authorities say he is the father of the victim’s children.

Thirty-six-year-old Cesar Santana was arrested on Friday by police in Miami, Florida. He is facing charges of desecrating and concealing human remains in the death of Luz Hernandez, 33, whose body was found buried in Kearny, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

The case became a homicide investigation on Thursday after prosecutors revealed an autopsy determined Hernandez died by blunt force trauma and compressions to the neck. Mr Santana, who is believed to be the father of Hernandez’s children, is expected to face additional charges once he is extradited to New Jersey, ABC News reported.

Another man, 26-year-old Leiner Miranda Lopez, is also being sought by police and faces the same charges as Mr Santana.

Hernandez, a mother of three, was reported missing on Monday after she failed to show up to work at BelovED Charter School, where she taught kindergarteners. Before discovering the body, police found “blood splatters” in Hernandez’s home near Lafayette Park and evidence that led them to the shallow grave just three miles away, NJ.com reported.

Mr Santana remains detained at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Night Detention Center. He was arrested shortly after midnight on Friday at a motel in Miami.

Authorities have yet to arrest Mr Lopez and have asked the public to contact investigators if they have information regarding his whereabouts.

During the investigation by Jersey police and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, it emerged that Mr Santana and Mr Lopez were stopped by police on Sunday near Kearny, just a day before Hernandez was reported missing.

The unregistered vehicle was impounded. After the suspects were linked to the crime, further evidence was seized from the car on Tuesday.

Authorities in New Jersey, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania worked collectively to track down Mr Santana, prosecutors said.

Hernandez’s brother Christino Hernandez told CBS that she had become an educator because she enjoyed being around children.

“She was always happy. She loved kids. She became a teacher because she loved being around kids,” he said.

BelovED founder Bret Schunder also told NJ.com that the school would likely plan a tribute for Hernandez in the upcoming days.

“People loved her. She was a wonderful co-worker,” Mr Schundler said of Hernandez. “She was a beloved member of the BelovED family. People are feeling devastated by this.”

The school, where Hernandez had taught at the school since 2017, was closed on Wednesday. Two of her children attended BelovED.

“There is going to be a desire to commemorate her and there’s going to be a desire to support her family,” Mr Schundler added. “Her whole family was involved, was part of the BelovED community.”

A cousin of Hernandez, who chose to remain anonymous, said the family is still trying to make sense of the tragedy.

“She was one of the best teachers, everybody loves her, all the kids. It’s just like, so complicated to think about this. We just want justice,” she told NBC. “We love her, her family, the friends. She was an amazing girl and it’s so unfair somebody takes away the life from her. Why?”

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s office has asked anyone with information to call 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on its website.