Mother Charged After 18-Month-Old Daughter Dies from Abuse

Albuquerque –

On Wednesday, August 6, detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department charged Vanessa Chavez in connection with the death of her 18-month-old daughter, who died on Saturday as a result of child abuse.

Officers responded to a call from an AFR Captain and Lieutenant regarding an unresponsive baby at a residence in the 5600 block of Cleghorn Rd. NW on Saturday, August 2nd. First responders attempted to revive the baby but were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators discovered bruising and other injuries to the baby’s head, arm and leg. An autopsy later revealed scattered bruising to the head and neck area and a large subdural hemorrhage that was reportedly the result of trauma.

The 7-year-old sibling of the 18-month-old baby said to the trained child investigator that he “saw mom beating her up. She slammed her (the baby) on the wall. Then she died.” When the sibling was asked where his father was, he told an investigator that his father was outside.

Detectives with APD’s Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) learned that the baby was born in 2024. Authorities determined that the baby had been in the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) custody at the time of her death. Per the criminal complaint, the baby was removed from the care of her father and Chavez shortly after birth due to their failure to attend follow-up medical appointments related to her premature birth. The baby had been living with a relative until approximately one month prior, when a home trial period began to facilitate her reintegration with her father and Chavez. Officers were also informed that both the 18-month-old baby and her sibling were born drug-exposed.

Chavez, 40, is charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Death. Authorities issued a warrant for her arrest on August 6. APD sent an email minutes after 8:15 PM stating Chavez had been arrested and would be booked into MDC.