Dad accused of setting car on fire with his child inside

A man in New Jersey has been accused of setting his car on fire while his 9-year-old child was in it.

NBC New York reported that authorities were alerted about the fire near a local high school late Thursday, March 28. It was also around the same time they got a call about a related domestic dispute in the area, where they came across a woman who claimed that their argument prompted Manuel Rivera to step out of the house with their son.

Rivera, according to the NBC News affiliate, was later found with burns and a self-inflicted wound with a burning car next to him. Officials found that the vehicle was poured with gasoline, which caused the fire.

The suspect was rushed to the hospital. Police later found the body of his son inside the car.

The local high school, in a statement shared on X, confirmed that their student "was tragically killed" in a car fire. The institution also said that the child's father is one of their employees.

"Since the matter is currently being investigated by the Sayreville Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Office of the Middlesex County Prosecutor, no additional details can be released at this time," they added.

The school said counselors and therapists will also be there to "provide bereavement counseling and emotional support" to their students and staff.

Per NBC New York, Rivera has been charged with murder, second-degree aggravated arson, endangering the welfare of a child, and desecration of human remains.