A soldier from Jersey City is behind bars Monday night and charged in his wife?s murder.

Prosecutors say Eddy Casco fatally beat the mother of his two children. According to police, Casco and his wife celebrated her birthday Friday. Prosecutors say when the two returned home they began to argue and Casco severely beat the victim. Authorities say Casco waited several hours before calling for help. His wife died Sunday of her injuries, which prosecutors say consisted of a brain hemorrhage, fractured ribs and bruises to her body.

Casco pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He is currently being held on $1 million bail. A grand jury will hear the case and decide whether to indict Casco on murder charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison.