Young mom accused of abusing baby girl

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - Police call it a disturbing child-abuse case in southeastern New Mexico after doctors said a 9-month-old girl was physically abused for weeks.

Now her 19-year-old mother is in jail.

A 24-page criminal complaint outlines multiple interviews detectives conducted with the baby's family. In the end, police said the young mom confessed.

It was early December when Roswell police officers were called to Lovelace Hospital after the 9-month-old baby girl was brought in by her grandparents.

"They were concerned because she was very sick, and before officers could arrive to the hospital, the baby had been airlifted to a hospital in Albuquerque," said Sabrina Morales, public information liaison for the Roswell Police Department.

The baby was taken to UNM Hospital. According to court records, doctors determined the child suffered  from a "brain bleed near the membranes of the brain tissue ... that had to be caused by some sort of trauma to the head."

The complaint states the baby suffered skull fractures, multiple retinal hemorrhages and a broken foot, injuries doctors described as consistent with a two- to three-story fall, or high-speed car accident.

Family members were interviewed, and each one denied hurting the baby. However, one person didn't have detectives convinced, the child's 19-year-old mother, Jasmine Murillo.
     
According to the criminal complaint, Murillo told police the baby had fallen, and that her injuries likely worsened over time.

"With any type of injuries such as the ones that this child sustained, one has to assume that the mother would know what she was doing to the child," said Morales.

Murillo finally broke down. Police said she eventually told detectives, "I would never hurt her intentionally, but there had been times where I would just throw her in her crib."

Murillo was arrested on child-abuse charges Thursday with bond set at $500,000.

"It's very disturbing to see a case like this, mothers are supposed to protect their children," said Morales.

Doctors believe the 9-month-old's fractured foot was likely a result of her getting caught in the rungs of the crib while being yanked out. The baby spent time in ICU for multiple seizures. Doctors said its unclear if she'll lose her eyesight.

The baby has been released from the hospital. Police said the state Children. Youth and Families Department is involved and will decide where the child will stay.

Whether that will be with other family members is unclear at this point. No one else has been charged in the case.