New Mexico – A 40-year-old New Mexico mom was taken into custody last week and charged with intentionaI chiId abuse resuIting in death following the death of her 1-year-old earlier this month at the family’s home in New Mexico. The incident occurred at the family’s residence, where emergency responders found the child unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive the child, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upon investigation, New Mexico authorities discovered bruising on the child’s head, arm, and leg. An autopsy revealed scattered bruising and a large subduraI hemorrhage, consistent with trauma. Detectives learned that the child had been born last year with drug exposure and had been placed into state custody. She was returned to her parents’ care approximately one month prior to the incident.
During the investigation, the mother, 40-year-old V. Chaves, initially told officers that her child had fallen while learning to walk, leading to the injuries. However, a key witness, the child’s sibling, 7, provided a different account. The unidentified child told investigators that he had seen his mother beating up the victim and that she had sIammed the child’s head against the waII, resulting in her death. The mother allegedly instructed the boy to remain silent about the incident.
New Mexico authorities reportedly said that the child was told by his mom that he couldn’t explain what happened to his sibling and that nothing would happen if he spoke. He couldn’t say anything because she wasn’t coming back. The mother also told him that the victim had just fainted and she hadn’t killed her.
The 40-year-old woman was arrested and booked into the county detention center. Prosecutors have charged her with intentionaI chiId abuse resuIting in death, a charge that carries severe penalties upon conviction. The case has drawn significant attention and criticism toward the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department, as this marks the sixth child fatality in the state in just four months, all involving the department’s involvement.
The 7-year-old sibling has been removed from the home and is now in a safe environment, according to CYFD. The department has confirmed that the child was given a plan of safe care under New Mexico’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act after being born. However, the parents showed a lack of participation in the plan, prompting CYFD to remove the child and her sibling. The children were recently returned to their parents after a judge found they had made positive strides toward reform.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case highlights ongoing concerns about child welfare and the effectiveness of state intervention programs in protecting vulnerable children.