Ruth Whitehead: Pennsylvania woman who didn't want son to grow up with money problems strangles him in his sleep

The boy's father told police that he woke up to find his son dead inside the master bedroom which was locked

UPDATED APR 13, 2023

Ruth DiRienzo Whitehead has been charged with murder of her son (Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: An 11-year-old boy was murdered in his sleep by his mother who strangled him with his father's belt as she did not want him to grow up facing financial issues. Ruth DiRenzo Whitehead, 50, was charged by prosecutors after police located her and her vehicle which was partially sunk in the ocean in New Jersey, away from her home in Pennsylvania.

According to Montgomery County prosecutors, the boy's father informed police that on Tuesday morning, April 11, he woke up to find his son dead inside the master bedroom which was locked, and dialed 911. At 7.06 am, Horsham Township Police Department officers responded to the scene at the 500 block of Privet Road, reported Law and Crime.

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Ruth's vehicle was sought related to a homicide case

Matthew Whitehead, 11, spent the night in the master bedroom with his mother. His father told the authorities that Ruth's vehicle has been missing from the garage. With more than a half-hour drive, authorities found Ruth's black Toyota Highlander in New Jersey at Garden State's southern tip.

Mike Voll, City Manager of Cape May, New Jersey, stated that at around 3.30 am, the vehicle was spotted by a passerby. According to the Montgomery County DA's office, "While police were still in the family home, Cape May, NJ police found the wife’s SUV partially submerged in the ocean just off Beach Avenue in Cape May."

Ruth's car was later found to be a vehicle that was sought relating to a homicide case in Pennsylvania after police ran the car's plate. Cops found the woman at a local residence in Wildwood Crest's neighboring city.

The 11-year-old boy had several marks on his body

According to Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele, ligature marks were found on Matthew's neck both on the front and back, and had petechiae on his eyes and facial swelling. Officials said that the family had been facing financial problems. As per the investigators' claim, Ruth drove her vehicle into the ocean in Cape May and then she walked over to the local residence in Wildwood Crest, according to Law and Crime.