India Miller and Sean D. Scott were charged with murder, child endangerment, making a false report to police and related offenses, New Jersey law enforcement officials said Thursday, Oct. 15. Both were being held at Salem County Jail.

Officers went to the couple’s home at about 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, after a report that a child was not breathing. Miller and Scott told first responders the girl had been found outside near a shed after being struck by a vehicle while walking a dog, according to police. Miller reportedly said she heard a sound like tires screeching before Scott went outside.

The child was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 6:42 p.m. Investigators said her facial injuries and extensive bruising did not match a vehicle collision. They also said surveillance footage showed no vehicles passing during the time Miller described.

Police said investigators found wet children’s clothing with suspected blood in an upstairs bathroom, along with suspected blood on tile near the bathtub and on cleaning supplies. A 4-year-old sibling told investigators Scott struck the girl in the face and eyes on the night she died, officials said.

An autopsy found multiple injuries, including broken ribs and blunt-force trauma to the eyes; some injuries were at different stages of healing. The medical examiner for Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties ruled the death a homicide.

The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.