LCPD: Man slaps daughter because she reminded him of ex

Las Cruces police arrested Keifer Moore, 23, of the 1000 block of La Plata Drive, and charged him with a third-degree felony count of child abuse after he reportedly hit his 2 -year-old daughter because she gave him a look that reminded him of his ex, according to police reports.

The incident happened on Saturday, April 7, at 1:30 a.m. but police learned of the incident on Monday, April 9.

Investigations state that Moore returned home with his mother and his 2-year-old daughter, and he initially took his daughter inside the home and his mother remained outside, in the car. A short while later, Moore returned outside and placed the girl in the backseat of the car. His mother indicated to investigators that Moore then struck his daughter’s face.

The woman told investigators that she yelled at her son and asked why he struck his daughter. Moore reportedly told his mother that his 2-year-old daughter gave him a look that reminded him of his ex, so he struck her.

The young child had bruising and redness to her left eye and bruising to the left side of her cheek. Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Moore was arrested Monday evening and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.