UPDATE: Man Accused Of Stabbing Ex-Wife To Death While Children Are Inside Home

Authorities say a Las Cruces man is in custody in the death of his ex-wife in her East Mesa home.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s officers received a 911 call about a stabbing at a home around 2:45 a.m. Saturday.

They say a 35-year-old Jenny Bates-Solomon was found dead in the house. They arrested 39-year-old Horace Carlos Solomon Jr., who was found asleep next to the victim’s body.

Solomon, 39, is currently being held in the Dona Ana County Detention Center, charged with felony murder, two counts of child abuse, and two counts of false imprisonment. Judge Conrad Perea has ordered Solomon to be held on a $150,000 cash bond.

Authorities say the Solomon allegedly forced his way into the residence and beat the victim, then stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife.

He also allegedly threatened two children in the home before they were able to escape.

Neighbor Freddie Rodriguez, Jr. told ABC-7 the children were hysterical.

“They couldn’t control themselves because they saw what happened,” he said. “They actually had to see what happened.”

Investigators said a third child was also inside the home. All three children were unharmed.

Court records show Bates-Solomon filed for divorce in 2009 and had a restraining order against her ex-husband.

The Las Cruces Sun-News says Solomon is being held on suspicion of felony murder. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney.