LCPD: Teen kicked in the stomach by father ends up in hospital

A man sits in jail accused of kicking his daughter and shoving his ex-wife to the ground during a fight.

Las Cruces police said 38-year-old Aaron M. Vargas was fighting with his ex-wife Wednesday evening at her house when the argument turned violent.

According to investigators, Vargas pushed the 37-year-old woman to the ground. That’s when their 16-year-old daughter came out of the room and began yelling at her father, police said.

Vargas then turned against the teen, kicking her in the stomach, police said.

Police were called to the home and arrived to find the girl in pain. She was taken to the hospital and is recovering.

Vargas was no longer at the home, but police said he was found at a relative’s home.

He faces one count of intentional child abuse and one count of battery against a household member.

He is at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with a $5,000 bond.