3 arrested in homicide case involving New Mexico teenage boy

Three people have been arrested in the death of a teenager in New Mexico including the boy’s mother, authorities said.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s officials said investigators received confidential information last Thursday regarding a possible homicide.

They built a case over the weekend and announced on Monday the arrests of 42-year-old Wayne Ferguson, 35-year-old Tracy Ann Pena and 19-year-old Jordan Anthony Nunez in connection with the death of 13-year-old Jeremiah Valencia.

Valencia is Pena’s son, according to authorities. Sheriff’s officials said Nunez lives in Hereford, Texas.

Ferguson, Pena and Nunez all are jailed on suspicion of abuse of a child resulting in death, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.

Court records show the teen was tortured, cruelly confined and abused before his death last November.

District Attorney Marco Serna released a statement late Monday saying, “I am sickened by this horrific tragedy.”

“I want northern New Mexicans to know this case is of the highest priority and I will do everything in my power to seek justice for this innocent child,” he said.