Las Cruces man arrested on child abuse, drug charges; allegedly wouldn’t let girlfriend, baby bathe

Las Cruces Police have arrested an 18-year-old on several charges.

Charges include allegedly battering his girlfriend and threatening her life if she left him, and using methamphetamine in the presence of his 11-month-old son who has been bathed only four times in his life, according to police.

He also didn’t allow his girlfriend to bathe herself.

Manuel Tellez-Edmond, of the 400 block of east Picacho Avenue, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery against a household member and one count each of kidnapping, intentional child abuse, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Las Cruces Police learned that Tellez-Edmond was allegedly abusive to his 21-year-old girlfriend on Saturday, Jan. 10 and during that incident, Tellez-Edmond held a loaded handgun to the woman’s face and threatened to kill her.

The woman was so terrified of Tellez-Edmond that she was not able to report the incident until she was at work on Monday.

Tellez-Edmond’s mother also resides in the home and indicated to detectives that she, too, was afraid of her son, according to police.

Detectives learned that Tellez-Edmond and his girlfriend have an 11-month-old son together and Tellez-Edmond allegedly refused to allow the boy or his girlfriend to bathe.

Detectives learned that since the boy was born he has been bathed only four times and was not taken to see a physician as needed.

Because Tellez-Edmond was known to have firearms and was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine, police used its SWAT team early Monday evening to serve an arrest warrant on the suspect.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Tellez-Edmond exited the home without incident and was taken into custody.

Once inside the home detectives located 15 pets, and animal feces and urine throughout the home. Electricity was functional in only a portion of the home and there were no means of heating water.

Detectives found 5.8 grams of methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia commonly used to distribute meth, two airsoft guns, two handguns and two rifles.

The pets, mostly dogs, were rescued by animal control and taken to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley.

Tellez-Edmond was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.