Man Accused of Killing Infant Son 'Innocent', Family Says

The 32-year-old man accused of breaking his 10-week-old's ribs and causing brain damage is innocent in the child's death, family members said during his arraignment Thursday.

Family described Michael Marrara Jr., a volunteer firefighter in Fort Lee, as a gentle and caring father.

“The truth will come out,” his father Michael Marrara Sr. said, according to a report on northjersey.com. “It’s a tragedy for the whole family,” added Marrara's mother, Katherine.

Marrara sports a large tattoo of his late child on his right arm, with the words inscribed, "Andrew Jeremy, 1-13-12," his date of birth.

Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Marrara Jr. with aggravated manslaughter, hindering apprehension, and neglecting the welfare of a child.

Fort Lee police and EMS members arrived at Marrara's Center Avenue apartment in Fort Lee on March 26, 2012 and found his son, Andrew, non-responsive. The child was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital a short time later.

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said an autopsy performed the next day revealed the 10-week-old had been recovering from soft tissue injuries and multiple broken ribs. The medical examiner determined Andrew died from a blow to the head, which Molinelli claims came from the hand of Marrara.

Marrara, now living near Boca Raton, Florida with his fiance, surrendered to authorities Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on $250,000 bail.

The family has long claimed the child died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Prosecutors thus far have provided few details of the case, including why it took 15 months to bring charges, what Marrara's alleged motives were, and how he allegedly caused the injuries.

Marrara has been suspended from his firefighting duties pending the outcome of the case, fire officials said.