safety
Father arrested after admitting to killing 3-year-old son, leaving body in suitcase, police say
Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Joel Moore, Shayna Shayna, Jordan Gartner , KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
MEMPHIS, Tenn. ( WMC /Gray News) - A Memphis father has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his 3-year-old son. According to the Memphis Police Department, its investigation began last Sunday when officers responded to a custody dispute at a home on Southbridge Street. Police...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Joel Moore, Shayna Shayna, Jordan Gartner, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway Police said 3-year-old Joseph Martinez was taken from the home by his non-custodial parent, Saul Martinez, without permission.
Why this matters in The Midland
The disturbing details of this case serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect. While this incident occurred in Memphis, it's a sobering reminder for Midland residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. The Midland Police Department has resources in place to investigate and prevent such tragedies, and it's crucial for the community to work together to ensure child safety. In Midland, the police department's partnership with local social services and organizations can provide support and intervention for families in need. As this case unfolds, Midland residents should be aware of the importance of reporting any concerns about child welfare to the authorities, and the role they can play in preventing such horrific incidents from occurring in their own community. The safety and well-being of children depend on the collective efforts of the community and law enforcement.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MEMPHIS, Tenn. ( WMC /Gray News) - A Memphis father has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his 3-year-old son. According to the Memphis Police Department, its investigation began last Sunday when officers responded to a custody dispute at a home on Southbridge Street. Police...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joel Moore, Shayna Shayna, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter