Las Cruces Police charge teen couple with child abuse

The teenage parents of a 3-month-old child have been charged with intentional child abuse for severe injuries incurred by their young son.

Clarissa Gonzalez, 16, and Golden Brown, 17, both of 2105 Bex St. in Las Cruces, are charged with one count each of intentional child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, conspiracy to commit child abuse and tampering with evidence. Gonzalez and Brown were indicted by a Dona Ana County grand jury on Thursday.

According to Las Cruces Police detectives, on Aug. 3, the couple took their 3-month-old son to Memorial Medical Center where emergency room doctors observed the child to be suffering from severe trauma with injuries to his leg and head.

The child was subsequently transported to University Medical Center of El Paso for more intensive care.

Police said that detectives learned from medical professionals that the child’s injuries were consistent with child abuse. Detectives interviewed Gonzalez and Brown and police say that their statements were inconsistent and not indicative with the abilities of a 3-month-old child.

Gonzalez and Brown were both arrested by Las Cruces Police on Aug. 3. Brown allegedly attempted to run from officers at Memorial Medical Center but was apprehended and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. He is being held on warrants out of El Paso, Texas. Gonzalez was released from custody without bond.

The 3-month-old boy is still hospitalized and recovering from his injuries.