Drawn guns and K-9’s, in the hunt for Morristown man accused of killing boy

Liam Straw, age 3. Photo via Facebook.
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Last Friday, just after sundown, residents along Clyde Potts Drive in Morristown said they were shocked to see police in tactical gear, with guns drawn, and a K-9 patrol, near where children were playing.

On Monday, they learned why authorities had come to the public housing development: Police announced they were looking for Edwin A. Urbina.

Edwin Urbina. Photo courtesy of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Urbina, 27, is accused of fatally beating his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son early Friday in a Route 10 hotel in East Hanover.

The Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers program (973-COP-CALL) is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the fugitive. Callers may remain confidential; use the free “P3 Tips” app.

Twenty-eight-year-old Krystal Straw, identified as the victim’s mother by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, is being held in the Morris County Jail on charges of endangering the welfare of children and helping Urbina cover up his alleged crime.

It is believed the victim’s name was Liam, and that he has a 5-year-old sister.

Shortly after 5 am on Friday, Morristown police were called to Morristown Medical Center, where the little boy was in cardiac arrest.

Authorities contend he had been beaten by Urbina in the early morning hours at the Oyo Hotel. Arriving at the hotel soon after the alleged assault, Straw took Urbina to another location before taking her son to the hospital, according to investigators.

They further allege that Urbina, an ex-convict whose nickname is “Beans,” instructed Straw to delete information from her cell phone, and to deny his complicity in the killing.

The death was ruled a homicide by Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca, M.D.

Police warn that the 5-foot-10, 255-pound Urbina, whose last known address is on Clyde Potts Drive, is dangerous and should not be approached.

Searching for murder suspect Edwin Urbina, authorities converge on Clyde Potts Drive in Morristown, Aug. 13, 2021.

Urbina has served time in the Morris County Jail. Charged with aggravated assault in 2014, he was sentenced in 2016 to three years behind bars, according to court records.

Some African American residents expressed dismay at the show of force by police in their neighborhood.

“God forbid one of those officers had an itchy finger. I don’t even want to think about it,” Keischa Marrow posted online over the weekend.

“The residence wasn’t even occupied…our children won’t forget what they saw. But they want our children to respect the uniform. Where is the respect for our community?”

When apprehended, Urbina will face charges of first degree murder, second degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth degree Tampering with Evidence.

Straw has been charged with second degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, third degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, third degree Tampering with a Witness, and fourth degree Tampering with Evidence.

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13 COMMENTS

  1. Motownpride – you said it yourself! That didn’t happen in this story so why start trouble when there is none. How about some gratitude for a job well done

  2. Justice for Liam never will I had thought to write Rest In Peace papi to you I miss u baby boy a pleasure to have met You u will never be forgotten lil Angel I will miss ur smile n kisses as u gave does freely facts rest easy up in heaven n watch ur sister from up there as she will miss u down here Liam I got pics of you still u sitting untop of my dresser I look at u everyday u was my friend 2 diamantes miss u too so does GEMSZ damn an Angel gone too soon 😕😔😣😩🥺
    And a message to Laylah babygirl hope ur being the strong girl we all know you to be ur missed as well but I truly wish u nothing but blessings be strong n I hope they gave you his “bear” u noe how much it meant to him I at least hope u keeping it safe n know that I’ll always pray for you uneek loves ya Laylah GOD BLESS THE STRAW FAMILY MY CONDOLENCES

    Rest in paradise Liam never forgotten baby boy 😩😩😩😩🥺🥺🥺

  3. God bless this poor baby. This is why NJ needs to bring back the death penalty! & wasn’t there just a shooting on Clyde, of course if it was a cop who did it forgot it BLM protest would take place all over the town! . But I guess if you shot and kill your own kind it’s forgiven 🤷🏼‍♀️

  4. The most callous crime, the murder of an innocent child, requires the Police respond forcefully when attempting to apprehend the subject. Considering the fact that Urbina urged the child’s mother to commit additional crimes to cover this atrocity. The assemblage of Law Enforcement at the area in question was not a show of force with respect to the community but to apprehend the most brutal offender I have heard of in a long time. “God forbid one of those officers had an itchy finger. I don’t even want to think about it,” Keischa Marrow’s post goes straight at the police who, in fact, were attempting to protect that very community. Regardless of the apartment being occupied, or not, a strong showing of force by the police could make the suspect reconsider his use of force. The respect for the community was always in the forefront inasmuch as they were trying to get a vicious predator off their street.
    Luckily this beast was arrested and is currently jailed awaiting trial.

  5. Get over it , People have the nerve to post they are upset that the police stormed his home,? Really? He killed a baby ! get over it!!

  6. So what happens when we “back the blue” and they shoot another innocent African American man? Not saying that applies to the story but answer the question since y’all want us to “back the blue “ so bad!

  7. Mayne they should wear polo shirts and shorts the next time they attempt to remove a convicted felon who just muttered a child. Ridiculous.

  8. Keischa Marrow, your children “won’t forget what they saw”? Maybe a little gratitude that the cops sought a child killer and the child wasn’t yours? Yes, they were respecting “your” community when they went to a known address of a suspected child killer with a criminal history. Kids that are taught that cops are ‘out to get them’ will fear authority, arm themselves, run when confronted, and guess what? Stop pointing the finger at the men & women in blue and raise good kids.

  9. Maybe People Should Stop Posting, and have some respect for the beautiful 3 year old we have lost.

    Oh wait, but it’s unlawful for me to challenge one of your First Amendment Rights! SMH

    May God Delivery Us All From This Tragedy, and Protect Our Children From Demonic Adults!

    Do Your Job’s EveryOne! It’s Going To Take A Village To Get What Needs To Be Done, Done!

    RIH Baby Boy!

  10. If this man killed the child of a woman he was involved with, no child is safe. Its mind boggling that the residents of Manahan Village felt the swift tactical and professional response by Law Enforcement was traumatizing and unwarranted.
    Kudos to all Law Enforcement agencies involved in the quick apprehension of the suspect.

  11. Police exist to enforce and protect.

    It is unfortunate that the child killer comes from the Clyde Potts “community”.

    People tend to see more violence and drugs in some communities over others, for whatever reason.

    Why not support the protection of community at large and back the blue. Sadly a 3 year old won’t have the option to see anything ever again. Heartbreaking.

  12. They were going after a child killer. Maybe you should teach your kids that the Police were there to protect them. And that is what happens when you break the law. I feel bad for our law enforcement, maybe they should stop responding to Clyde Potts, you know, to ‘respect their community’.

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