Alleged child mistreatment and exposure to illicit substances by a pair residing in Albuquerque, involving their infant daughter.
Johnathan Castillo, a 23-year-old man, and Jessica Brusuelas, a 26-year-old woman, have been charged with child abuse and related offences following a distressing incident involving their children.
On Monday, police were called to the 1000 block of Madeira after reports of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, officers found the child in critical condition at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Medical staff revealed that the baby had multiple brain hemorrhages in various stages of healing, a fractured skull, and extensive bruising to the head.
Castillo, the baby's father, admitted to police that he had smoked fentanyl the day prior and his last use of methamphetamine was in 2018. The guardianship of the couple's 4-year-old daughter has been taken over by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the 4-year-old boy of the couple is now in the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department due to multiple bruises. Brusuelas told police that Castillo had 'whipped' the boy with a belt while under the influence of drugs, causing multiple bruises on the boy's back.
Brusuelas also alleged that Castillo had choked her for brief periods, usually when he was attempting to do drugs. She described instances where Castillo would become agitated by the infant's crying and would slap, spank, and hit the girl across the face and on her head.
Castillo, however, denies ever hitting Brusuelas or the children, claiming he had never disciplined them in any way. He told police that he saw the baby was about to fall off the couch but was only able to catch her leg, causing her head to hit the floor. He also stated that he placed a neck pillow around the infant because she 'had a habit of falling forward.'
Officers noticed swelling and bruising underneath Brusuelas' eyes during their conversation with her. Brusuelas admitted that Castillo, who had been staying with her for the week, had used fentanyl and methamphetamine in the apartment.
Both Castillo and Brusuelas were booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday. Castillo is charged with child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, tampering with evidence, and aggravated battery on a household member. Brusuelas is charged with reckless child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and failure to report child abuse.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of child welfare and the role of authorities in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may be released as the case progresses.
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