ONLY ON ABC-7: Grandmother of Las Cruces toddler saddened by alleged abuse

Las Cruces resident Lillian Carbajal told ABC-7 her two-year-old granddaughter is a victim of abuse that led to two arrests over the weekend.

” Nobody knew, ” Carbajal said. ” Nobody in the family knew that this was going on.​ ”

Officers with the Las Cruces Police Department arrested the toddler’s stepmother, 30-year-old Desirae Nichole Vargas, and her friend, 18-year-old Anika Samario in connection with the crime.

The two women were charged with one count of reckless child abuse resulting in death or great bodily harm, a first-degree felony, according to police.

” It hurts, ” Carbajal said. ” It hurts knowing that somebody can put hands on a child and hurt them like that. ”

Officers were dispatched to the Mesilla Manor apartments on Montana Avenue off of Espina Street early Saturday morning. Police say a neighbor called 9-1-1 after hearing a child in distress.

An officer observed drug paraphernalia, including pipes ” throughout the residence, ” and tin foil, according to court documents.

At the hospital, the toddler was found to have multiple bruises on her ” eye, her face, neck, arms, torso, abdomen, back, buttocks, genitalia, legs and feet, ” according to a police news release. ” She also appeared to have bite marks on her buttocks. ”

Medical professionals also diagnosed the child with rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome caused by muscle injury, which police say could lead to kidney failure.

Carbajal told ABC-7 that Vargas always seemed like a thoughtful and loving stepmother.

” Very attentive, ” Carbajal said. ” Taking care of her, just like a mother’s instinct. ”

Robert Krause, another resident of the complex, said he knew of Vargas and saw her around the apartments.

” It brings tears to my eyes thinking about (the child’s injuries), ” Krause said.

As a father of a young daughter, he told ABC-7 he wants to move her to a safer living situation.

” My daughter needs a more stable place to grow up, ” Krause said. ” She can’t be around stuff like this happening. I don’t want her to be traumatized. ”

The two women were initially booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center without bond, according to the police department. The toddler remains in the hospital. ‘

Note: ABC-7 is not releasing the name or photo of the toddler because her identity has not yet been made public record.