Mom, boyfriend charged with child abuse; 3-year-old hospitalized

A Las Cruces couple has been arrested and charged with child abuse after the woman’s 3-year-old son was hospitalized with multiple internal and external injuries.

Alexandra C. Moore, 25, and Mario V. Gonzalez, 29, are charged with one count each of negligent child abuse causing great bodily harm.

Police say that Moore’s son, 3-year-old Jose, was believed to be unconscious and not breathing when Gonzalez called 911 shortly before 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10.

Police, fire and ambulance were sent to a report of CPR in progress at the home in the 2400 block of E. Idaho Ave.

First responders provided care for boy who was then transported to Memorial Medical Center.

The boy was then airlifted to El Paso Children’s Hospital where he remains hospitalized Tuesday. His injuries were initially described as possibly life-threatening.

Las Cruces Police say they subsequently learned that Jose had multiple bruises on his body, and was suffering from a subdural hematoma and other internal injuries.

Las Cruces Police learned that Gonzalez was taking care of Jose Monday morning while Moore went to work. Gonzalez called 911 when he noticed Jose was unresponsive.

Moore and Gonzalez are the primary caregivers for the young boy, along with Moore’s two daughters and Gonzalez’s young son. The other children in the household have been turned over to the custody of relatives.

Moore and Gonzalez were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where both were initially being held without bond.