ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — UPDATE: An Elizabeth City man was arrested in Henrico County, Virginia, Tuesday on charges surrounding the death of a newborn.
According to the Elizabeth City Police Department (ECPD), Tommy Lee Montez, 23, was taken into custody on Dec. 6. He was taken to the Henrico County Jail West.
Montez faces charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse with serious bodily injury.
On Nov. 20, police in Elizabeth City were called to Sentara Albemarle Hospital to investigate the death of a child, who was identified as 3-week-old boy Julius Saucedo.
Both the baby and the suspect lived on the 800 block of Greenleaf Street, according to the news release from ECPD.
"Very, very heavy. My little grandbaby is now one year old," said Virginia Vaughan, a resident who lives near Greenleaf Street.
She and other neighbors told 13News Now they had not heard about what happened, but still expressed their sadness and heartbreak over the situation.
"Right now, I feel like nobody should have to die. I cry for anybody that has lost a loved one. I lost a child. She was 18. And I've been sad since that child's been taken," Vaughan added.
Police have not yet shared information about Julius and Montez's exact relationship, how the baby died, nor why Montez was in central Virginia.
On Dec. 13, Montez was extradited back to Elizabeth City. His next court appearance will be on Dec. 15 at the Pasquotank County District Court.
Montez declined an interview from jail.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you know anything that can help police, call the Elizabeth City Police Department at 252-335-4321 or the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.