The man suspected of killing two adults and three children in a Modesto home pleaded not guilty to charges he allegedly killed a toddler last year.
Martin Martinez of Modesto was taken into custody July 19 in San Jose and initially booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on murder charges stemming from the death of a toddler left in his care last fall. He was transferred to Stanislaus County Wednesday night.
Prosecutors believe Martinez murdered 2-year-old Christopher Ripley on September 30. According to the criminal complaint, Martinez is accused of causing great bodily harm, resulting in young Ripley's death. He appeared in a courtroom Thursday, and pleaded not guilty to these charges.
On July 18, Modesto police discovered the bodies of five people inside a home located just north of Floyd Avenue in Modesto. Police were checking on the home after one of the adult victims missed a lunch date.
All of the victims were female; Dr. Amanda Crews, Anna Brown Romero, Crews' 6-year-old daughter, a 5-year-old family friend and Crews' 6-month-old baby girl. Martinez is the father of the young baby, and had a relationship with Crews.
Charges in connection with these deaths have not been filed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing.
