Tania Wise, a 23-year-old single mother of an eight-year-old son, was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her second child, a boy she named Josiah. Despite the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy with a married man, Tania decided to keep the baby after initially considering an abortion. Her family stood by her decision to raise the child on her own.
Tragically, just days before her due date, Tania was found brutally murdered in a rural area of St Lucie County. The heinous act not only took her life but also that of her unborn son, Josiah. The community, who had been preparing for a joyous occasion, was now mourning the loss of a mother and her child.
The investigation led to suspicions falling on Jose Soto-Escalera, the man Tania had been involved with. Despite initially denying any intimate relationship with Tania, evidence such as deleted phone records, internet search history, and witness testimonies pointed towards Soto-Escalera’s involvement in the murders.
As the trial progressed, further incriminating evidence emerged, including recorded conversations indicating premeditation on Soto-Escalera’s part. Witnesses testified to his anger towards Tania and his alleged intentions to conceal their affair at any cost, even resorting to violence.
Ultimately, Soto-Escalera was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death. During the sentencing, Tania’s family expressed their profound grief, highlighting the void left by her absence and the missed opportunities for her surviving son. Despite pleas for leniency based on Soto-Escalera’s past and behavior in custody, the judge handed down the ultimate penalty for the tragic loss of Tania and her unborn child.