Alleged child abuse leading to the demise of a 3-month-old infant has resulted in criminal charges for a duo residing in Albuquerque.
In a shocking turn of events, a 23-year-old man and woman from Albuquerque are facing multiple charges following the critical injuries of their 3-month-old daughter.
Johnathan Castillo, 23, and Jessica Brusuelas, 23, were both booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday. Castillo is charged with child abuse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated battery on a household member, while Brusuelas is charged with reckless child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and failure to report child abuse.
The tragic incident unfolded on Monday when Mika Castillo, the couple's infant daughter, was found unresponsive in Northeast Albuquerque. Medical staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital discovered that Mika had multiple brain hemorrhages in different healing stages, a fractured skull, and extensive bruising to the head.
According to the police reports, Johnathan Castillo told officers that he had smoked fentanyl a day earlier, and the last time he had done meth was in 2018. He also admitted to using fentanyl the day before the incident. When questioned about the baby's fall, Castillo stated that he saw Mika was about to fall off the couch but was only able to catch her leg.
Jessica Brusuelas reportedly told police that Castillo often choked her when he was trying to do drugs, and she claimed that their 4-year-old son was found with multiple bruises, which she attributed to Castillo whipping him with a belt while he was high on drugs.
The 4-year-old has since been taken into custody by the Children, Youth and Families Department. The child's head hit the floor when Johnathan Castillo was only able to catch Mika's leg as she was about to fall off the couch.
Police also noticed swelling and bruising underneath Jessica Brusuelas' eyes. Both Johnathan Castillo and Jessica Brusuelas have yet to secure legal representation, and the name of their lawyer is not publicly available.
APD will work with the District Attorney's Office to potentially upgrade the criminal charges due to Mika Castillo's death. As of now, Mika remains in critical condition, and the community is rallying together to support the family during this difficult time.
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