ICE places detainers on two women charged after baby dies in Jackson crash
Federal immigration officials have issued detainers for two non-citizens arrested following a fatal crash at a Jackson grocery store that killed a nine-month-old boy.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed on August 31, 2026, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed detainers on two women held at the Ocean County Jail. This action follows a fatal crash in Jackson Township that resulted in the death of a nine-month-old baby boy. The federal announcement came via the department's official X account exactly 72 hours after the incident occurred.
The crash took place on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the parking lot of an NPGS grocery store located on West County Line Road. According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, a Ford Fusion struck a mother who was pushing a stroller containing her infant son and five-year-old daughter. The baby boy later died at a hospital following the impact.
Charges filed against drivers
Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, was behind the wheel of the vehicle at the time of the collision. She faces charges of manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver's license while involved in a fatal crash. Prosecutors also filed two counts of assault by auto against her.
Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, is charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another person. She lent the sedan to CobonGuzman despite knowing that the driver had never been issued a license in New Jersey or anywhere else. Both women are currently being held at the Ocean County Jail.
Immigration status and federal response
Ocean County Jail records indicate that CobonGuzman was born in Guatemala and is a current citizen of that country. Lazaro-Flores is identified as a current citizen of Mexico, which is listed as her birthplace. ICE officials have not disclosed the specific immigration status of the women or when they may take custody.
The Department of Homeland Security stated on its social media account that the two women are illegal aliens. The official post argued that an innocent baby would still be alive had it not been for what it called Joe Biden's disastrous open border policy. The statement claimed that millions of illegal aliens were released into the country under this policy.
How detainers work in New Jersey
An immigration detainer is a formal request from ICE asking federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies to hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their ordinary release time. This extra time allows the Department of Homeland Security to assume custody of the person in accordance with federal immigration law. The request applies to jails, prisons, and other confinement facilities.
New Jersey is designated as a sanctuary state, which creates uncertainty about whether local authorities will honor these specific detainers. It remains unclear if the Ocean County Jail will comply with the federal request to hold the women beyond their scheduled release dates. Local officials have not yet issued a statement on how they will proceed given the state's legal framework.
Community impact and next steps
The incident has drawn significant attention from residents across the district as the legal process moves forward. The involvement of federal immigration authorities adds a complex layer to the criminal case already unfolding in Ocean County courts. Families in Jackson are left grappling with the loss of a child while awaiting further developments.
Prosecutors have outlined the specific charges against both women, but the outcome of the immigration detainers remains pending. The case will likely proceed through the state criminal justice system regardless of whether ICE takes custody of the defendants. Residents are watching closely to see how the intersection of state sanctuary laws and federal enforcement plays out in this tragic situation.
The timeline of events shows a rapid escalation from the Friday crash to the federal announcement three days later. The sequence began with the accident at the grocery store, followed by arrests, and concluded with the DHS confirmation of detainers. Each step has been documented by local prosecutors and federal agencies.
Questions residents are asking
What exactly is an immigration detainer?
An immigration detainer is a request from ICE asking law enforcement to hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their normal release time. This allows the Department of Homeland Security time to assume custody of the person in accordance with federal immigration laws.
Will New Jersey honor these detainers?
It is currently unclear whether the detainers will be honored because New Jersey is a sanctuary state. Local officials have not yet stated if they will comply with the federal request to hold the women beyond their scheduled release.
What charges are the women facing?
Maria CobonGuzman faces manslaughter, driving without a license in a fatal crash, and two counts of assault by auto. Ariadna Lazaro-Flores is charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.
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