NM Governor Wants To Reinstate Death Penalty To Include Convicted Child Abusers

Nearly three weeks being transported to University Medical Center, a baby boy continues his fight to survive while his mother and her boyfriend are in jail for allegedly abusing him.

The statement of facts contains graphic details about the abuse 7-month-old Malakai Workman suffered, allegedly at the hands of his mother, Danielle Workman, 22, and her boyfriend, Jaime Cardenas Jr., 24.

Although Malakai is expected to survive, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said she plans to reinstate the death penalty to include anyone accused of abusing a child to death.

“His head is swelling to the point his brain is swelling, to the point they had to relieve pressure,? 3rd Judicial District Attorney Amy Orlando said.

Orlando said Malakai suffered pressure and trauma inside a Las Cruces apartment, which was shared by Workman and Cardenas Jr.

“As the district attorney, I’m committed to prosecuting these people and making sure they’re punished to the fullest degree whenever they harm a child,? Orlando said.

According to the statement of facts, a nurse described Malakai as unresponsive, bruised and bleeding inside his skull.

?The injuries are consistent with hitting a wall, hard surface or being punched,? a doctor told detectives,

On the ninth anniversary of Baby Brianna?s death, Orlando says it is a reminder of how much and how little has changed.

“While we’ve made a lot of accomplishments and a lot of achievements after her death, it still happens in our community; it’s still happening,? Orlando said.

This is the very reason Martinez says she wants to reinstate the death penalty.

“The death penalty would apply for intentional child abuse resulting in death,? Martinez said. ?I want to bring it back the way it was and have the Legislature include child abuse resulting in death of a child if it’s intentional.”

But some say a maximum punishment is a tough call to make for justice.

“You just can’t imagine parents doing that to their children, so you can see you’d really want them to be punished. But I don’t know whether I’m for the death penalty or not ? I think that’s kinda extreme,? one woman said.

Some disagree, saying convicted child abusers should be prosecuted to the fullest.

“We should because you know what, that’s not right; that’s not right for us to abuse the kids,? another woman said.

But others say that no matter what the charges or circumstances, they will not support the death penalty.

“I just don’t believe in taking a life for a life,? another woman said.

Martinez says reinstating the death penalty is on the agenda for discussion at the next legislative session.

“I think we have a Legislature that is hopefully willing to listen to the people from New Mexico,? Martinez said. ?They?re put in this position of power to decide if they want this kind of punishment available.”