Reading, PA – A Pennsylvania man is facing three first-degree murder charges after allegedly executing a couple and drowning their 1-year-old child. The gruesome details have sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond.
Man Charged with Murder of Couple and Their Baby in Pennsylvania
On Monday, Berks County District Attorney John Adams confirmed that 61-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez has been charged with two additional counts of first-degree murder. The charges relate to the deaths of Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, 30, and her 1-year-old son Jayden. Rodriguez, who had previously been charged with the murder of Peguero-Mancebo’s husband Junior Cabrera-Colon, now faces further charges for his involvement in this tragic case.
Disturbing Details of the Crime
The incident began on September 12, when Peguero-Mancebo, who was reportedly in an intimate relationship with Rodriguez, was seen entering his white Nissan Quest with her son. Police later tracked their phone movements to a location on East Huller Lane, where Rodriguez allegedly planned to kill Peguero-Mancebo.
Rodriguez admitted to shooting Peguero-Mancebo in the back of the head after she reportedly refused to leave her husband for him. He told authorities that he had been infuriated by her decision and had been financially supporting her, including paying for her apartment rent.
Baby’s Tragic Death
After executing Peguero-Mancebo, Rodriguez allegedly drove Jayden to a nearby lake and threw him in the water. Authorities confirmed that the baby was still alive when he was submerged face-down in the muddy lake. An autopsy revealed that mud was found in Jayden’s lungs, indicating he was alive during the submersion. Rodriguez later confessed that he did not take the baby to the hospital out of fear of getting caught.
Rodriguez’s Confession and Police Investigation
Rodriguez led police to the weapon used in the killings: a 9mm handgun, which he had hidden under a porch of another home. The weapon had been reported missing by UPS back in June. During questioning, Rodriguez revealed the sequence of events, claiming that the mother and child were killed before Cabrera-Colon.
On September 13, Cabrera-Colon was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head near Baer Park in Reading.
Community Reaction and Support for the Family
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the return of the family’s bodies to their home country of the Dominican Republic. Peguero-Mancebo and Cabrera-Colon are survived by three other children, ages 8, 10, and 13.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Rodriguez is currently being held in Berks County Jail without bond. He faces a series of charges, including:
- Three counts of first-degree murder
- Three counts of third-degree murder
- Two counts of abuse of a corpse
- Two counts of possession of an instrument of crime
- Tampering with evidence
- Carrying a firearm without a license
Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court on October 3, 2025.
Share your thoughts and support for the surviving family members in the comments below. Stay tuned for updates as the case progresses.
