Las Cruces Woman Indicted In Abuse Of 8-Year-Old Male Relative

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A 30-year-old Las Cruces woman has been indicted by a grand jury in the attempted sexual abuse an 8-year-old male relative.

Michelle Tufts faces two counts of first-degree attempted criminal sexual penetration and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She is identified as a close relative of the boy but the relationship hasn’t been disclosed to protect the youth’s identity.

The boy’s grandmother alerted authorities after the child said he had been shown pornography by Tufts. When interviewed by police, Tufts confirmed at least one of three incidents described by the boy to investigators. According to the indictment, Tufts has a previous conviction for child abuse.

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