Las Cruces man ‘hallucinating’ on drugs allegedly stabbed niece repeatedly in face, neck

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A Las Cruces man believed to have been high on hallucinogenic drugs is jailed on charges he attacked his 21-year-old niece, stabbing her multiple times and leaving her hospitalized in serious condition, police said Tuesday.

Adam Alavarez, 35, was being held without bond on a felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Investigators said the attack took place at Alavarez's apartment on Monday afternoon, where he is thought to have "consumed some type of narcotic that caused him to hallucinate."

A short time after taking the drugs, police said he jumping on his niece - who was lying on a sofa - and repeatedly stabbed her in the face and neck.

Officers said they found the knife used in the stabbing on Alavarez's bedroom dresser.

The victim was flown to University Medical Center in El Paso for treatment of her stab wounds. While police said her injuries were very serious, she is expected to survive.