Tragic Case Ends in Prison Sentence
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico mother will spend 15 years behind bars after pleading no contest to reckless child abuse charges in the death of her 16-year-old daughter, officials announced. The girl, who was blind and had special medical needs, was discovered dead in 2022 after years of alleged neglect and severe malnourishment.
Girl’s Condition Shocked Medical Staff
In May 2022, the teen was brought to a hospital in Albuquerque unresponsive. Medical personnel determined she had been deceased for some time before arrival. Investigators later found the girl weighed approximately 40 pounds — comparable to the weight of a much younger child — and exhibited signs of extreme starvation. Court documents described the absence of muscle and body fat, extensive skin irritation, and evidence of maggots emerging from her body.
Neglect Previously Reported, Charges Delayed
Records show that authorities had encountered issues with the family years earlier. In 2019, the mother faced charges related to cruelty and deprivation after officers found several children in similar living conditions. However, a warrant for her arrest was not executed at that time, allowing her to avoid court until after her daughter’s death in 2022.
Sentencing and Court Statements
Prosecutors had sought an 18-year sentence, while defense attorneys requested 12 years. District Judge Bruce Fox ultimately ordered a 15-year prison term following the mother’s no contest plea. A deputy district attorney emphasized that the case represented prolonged mistreatment, rather than a momentary lapse in judgment.
