Woman Charged in Beating Death of Foster Baby

Albuquerque –

APD detectives arrested an Albuquerque woman who is charged with the child abuse that resulted in the death of a 10-month-old foster baby who was in her care.

APD detectives charged Denise Vazquez-Browley on July 3 with child abuse resulting in death. Vazquez-Browley, 39, surrendered to police today.

The baby girl died four days after Vazquez-Browley called 911 to report an unexplained medical condition. Doctors determined “abusive head trauma” was the “most likely diagnosis” for the baby’s injuries.

Officers initially responded to the home of Vazquez-Browley in the 8300 block of Krim Dr., N.E. on June 16, 2025. Officers met with rescue personnel who were treating a 10-month-old baby for what was described as a seizure. The baby’s heart was revived, but she could not breathe on her own. The baby was transported to a local hospital.

Detectives with APD’s Crimes Against Children Unit started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the baby’s medical emergency.

Vazquez-Browley gave conflicting information about who was caring for the baby. She told detectives she was the only person caring for the baby on the morning of the medical emergency. Detectives later learned Vazquez-Browley met with early intervention specialists at a park that morning, and she said she left the baby at home in the care of her husband.

Vazquez-Browley said that she first noticed the baby in medical distress in her crib sometime after noon on June 16. She said she called 911 after attempting to revive the baby by rubbing her chest and shaking her a little bit. Records show she called 911 at 12:14 p.m.

Vazquez-Browley told detectives her husband had been at work all day. She called him and he arrived at the home shortly after the baby was transported to the hospital.

APD detectives determined through investigation that Vazquez-Browley sent text messages to a friend the day before the incident saying she was overwhelmed and overstimulated. Investigators found web searches on her phone where Vazquez-Browley inquired about seizures in infants, “what to do if you want to bite your infant,” as well as law enforcement investigation techniques when interviewing children.

Denise Vazquez-Browley and her husband, Michael Browley, had four additional foster children in the home, in addition to a biological child. All of the children were placed into CYFD custody following the incident on June 16.