Convicted Coke Dealers IDed as Parents in Dead Baby Case, Couple Had Numerous Probation Violations Prior to Baby’s Death

Albuquerque –

On August 25th, 2026 the Albuquerque Police Department was called to the 600 block of Aztec Rd NW in regards to a dead child. APD confirmed, an 8-month-old baby was confirmed as the deceased child.

35-year-old Mark Armijo and 41-year-old Shawna Sitz were identified as the parents and they were taken into custody for violating their probation/parole.

The reason they are probation/parole is for a drug trafficking conviction of selling cocaine to undercover New Mexico State Police officers in a months long investigation in 2023. A search warrant conducted on the investigation found two rifles, five handguns, 136 grams of fentanyl, and 202 grams of cocaine.

In 2024, both were sentenced to 3 years of prison for the drug trafficking scheme. Both were sentenced to probation and parole with no prison time.

Sitz and Armijo violated probation/parole numerous times prior to their baby’s death. Most of the violations were for positive drug tests. Sitz was even offered drug counseling instead of going back to prison which she happily accepted. Armijo had other offers to avoid the New Mexico prison system.

We reached out to the New Mexico Department of Corrections in regards to Sitz and Armijo violating probation/parole on why they are NOT back in prison.

“Our Probation and Parole Division does not make sentencing decisions. Any additional questions regarding this investigation, should be directed to the Albuquerque Police Department,” said Brittany Roembach, New Mexico Corrections Department Public Information Officer.

Initially APD we sent them an email about why the couple was taken into custody. They responded on August 27th, saying drugs and drug paraphernalia was found throughout the home.

We will update the story when we find out any other information or if our questions get answered.