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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Marcela Montelongo child abuse
2. New Mexico mother arrested for child neglect
A New Mexico mother has been arrested for allegedly allowing her 5-year-old son to starve to death. Marecella Vasquez Montelongo, 23, was taken into custody after her son, who had Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities, was found unconscious and not breathing in July. Despite previous reports of neglect, the boy was pronounced dead, with an autopsy revealing starvation and dehydration as the cause. Montelongo faces a charge of child abuse resulting in death and must remain in custody until her trial. Advocates have questioned how she retained custody despite multiple red flags. The tragic case has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
1. New Mexico child neglect case
2. Marecella Montelongo child abuse
A heartbreaking case has unfolded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where a 23-year-old mother, Marecella Vasquez Montelongo, has been arrested on suspicion of allowing her 5-year-old son to slowly die from starvation. The tragic incident came to light in late February after Montelongo’s son, who suffered from Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities, was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in their home in July.
The young boy was pronounced dead, and a subsequent autopsy revealed that he had passed away due to severe neglect, leading to starvation and dehydration. Shockingly, prior to the child’s tragic death, state investigators from the Children, Youth, and Families Department had received at least four reports of neglect concerning the boy.
Montelongo made her first court appearance in Bernalillo County, where she faced a charge of child abuse resulting in death. The judge presiding over the case ordered her to remain in custody until her trial and mandated completion of an addiction treatment program. This devastating case has sparked outrage and raised questions about how such a tragedy could have unfolded.
When emergency services arrived at Montelongo’s residence, they found the child unresponsive, prompting immediate intervention. Despite efforts to save him, the boy was declared dead at the scene. Medical examiners later discovered that he had dropped to a shockingly low weight of approximately 13.6 pounds, indicating prolonged malnutrition.
Investigators revealed that the child, who was nonverbal, blind, and wheelchair-bound, required constant care and medication administered through a G-tube. However, Montelongo failed to attend several crucial medical appointments and disregarded signs of her son’s deteriorating health. The final autopsy report confirmed that the boy’s death was a result of neglect and ruled it as a homicide.
“This defendant made efforts to hide the abuse and this child’s demise from medical advisors and the school,” remarked Bernalillo County Judge David Murphy during Montelongo’s court hearing. The tragic circumstances surrounding the boy’s passing have left many wondering how such red flags could have been overlooked, prompting calls for accountability and justice.
Advocates have expressed concerns over the system’s failure to intervene despite multiple warnings from medical professionals, educators, and family members. Maralyn Beck, founder of the nonprofit New Mexico Child Network, highlighted the need for greater vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children from harm.
As this heart-wrenching story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community support in protecting those most in need. The tragic loss of Montelongo’s son has left a lasting impact on the community, underscoring the need for greater awareness and action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
