Mother’s boyfriend accused of her toddler’s death

Las Cruces Police have arrested a man in connection with the death of 2-year-old child.

According to police, Anthony Castrillo IV, the boyfriend of the mother who’s daugther was killed, was arrested Friday.

Investigators found injuries to the child’s brain and body that was consistent with blunt forced trauma, after a subsequent autopsy was performed.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, Las Cruces police were called to the 2200 block of Mars Avenue after Castrillo had called 911 to report a 2-year-old girl was not breathing.

The toddler was transported to Mountainview Regional Medical Center where she was shortly prononced dead.

According to investigators, the toddler’s mother left her daughter with her boyfriend, Castrillo, on Wednesday night and went to work.

The mother called Castrillo at around midnight to check up on her daughter. Castrillo told her her daughter was asleep and doing well.

At around 3 a.m. Thurday, the mother noticed multiple missed calls and texts from Castrillo.

When the mother was able to return his call, Castrillo told her he found her daughter on the floor and was not breathing.

Investigators found vivisible bruising about her head, chin and both sides of her torso. Medics said the bruising appeared to be suspicious and could not have occurred when officials performed CPR.

Castrillo told investigators that he fell asleep shortly after the girl’s mother called him to check up on her and woke up at around 3 a.m. to a text message. However, investigators searched his phone and learned that Castrillo was using his phone during the time he said he was asleep.

“As part of our investigation, we obtained warrants and reviewed his cell phone,” said Dan Trujillo, an LCPD spokesman. “That proved that he was using the phone during that time period.”

The Las Cruces Police Department urges any parent or guardian to call emergency services immediately if their child is hurt.

“If there is ever any type of injury, a fall or whatever the case is that appears to require medical attention, call 911 immediately,” Trujillo said. “Don’t call friends. Don’t text people. Make sure to call and get an ambulance and fire department to respond immediately.”

Castrillo is being charged with charged with one count of intentional child abuse resulting in death, with a first-degree felony.

He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond.

Trujillo also said parents should make sure they have complete faith in the person they allow to watch their child.

“Make sure that person is 100 percent trustworthy and that child will be taken care of, no matter what,” Trujillo told ABC-7.