Kids sought in foster mom's death found

SAN PATRICIO, NM (KRQE) - Two teenagers missing since their foster mother was found dead have been found and arrested in connection with the murder.

15 year-olds Alexis Shields and Desiree Linares were captured late Wednesday night at a house in Carlsbad.

They were staying with Evelyn Miranda as part of a foster program for psychologically troubled teens and been with her for just a short time.

Miranda was dead in her home Wednesday morning in San Patricio, a Lincoln County community 22 miles east of Ruidoso.

Investigators said she died from asphyxiation, and had possibly been smothered.

A source close to the case said the two teens stole their foster mother's van after the murder and headed to southeast New Mexico.

Both girls are charged with an open count of murder.  We're told the Lincoln County district attorney will send the case to a grand jury and the two girls could be charged as adults.