LCPD arrest mother of children who tested positive for meth

Las Cruces police arrested a man Monday suspected of kicking an 8-year-old girl on the lower back and smoking meth in a home occupied by the girl and her two younger siblings.

LCPD also arrested the mother of the three siblings Tuesday. Ashley Thurman, 29, is charged with two counts of child abuse not resulting in death or great bodily harm.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by the ABC-7 New Mexico Mobile Newsroom, 22-year-old Eddie Castillo admitted to kicking the 8-year-old girl twice, resulting in a bruise on her lower back.

Police said, during investigation, drug paraphernalia was found in a home occupied by the girl, her 8-month-old brother and 6-year-old sister. The 8-month-old and 8-year-old tested positive for meth, according to investigators.

Castillo is charged with two counts of child abuse not resulting in death or great bodily harm.

Police say Castillo was the mother’s boyfriend.

On Dec. 28, 2017, Las Cruces police conducted a welfare check on the 8-month-old boy, enrolled at a local daycare center. Personnel at the daycare complained the infant and his siblings always appeared to be dirty and inadequately clothed.

Police went to their home and found it to be without the basic necessities to serve as a safe place for children to live, police officials said. Upon investigation, officers allegedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the residence, within reach of the children. Investigators also learned about the 8-year-old girl’s bruise during the investigation.

Castillo was arrested on a warrant and was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he’s initially being held without bond.