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New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Toddler's Death Case

KVIA•Monday, May 18, 2026 at 8:14 PM•Gabrielle Lopez

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The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Lalo Anthony Castrillo IV for the intentional abuse leading to the death of a 2-year-old girl in Las Cruces. The court dismissed Castrillo's claims of insufficient evidence and denied his request for a new trial based on a photo posted by the child's mother, which was taken months prior to the child's death. The autopsy revealed that blunt force injuries caused the child's death while she was in Castrillo's care in 2018. Additionally, the court noted that Castrillo delayed seeking medical help for over an hour after discovering the child in distress, during which time he searched online for ways to assist her.

Key Details: • Conviction upheld by New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday. • Castrillo's trial was originally for the 2018 death of a 2-year-old girl. • Court found no merit in the request for a new trial based on a photo taken six months before the incident. • Castrillo failed to call 911 for over an hour after the child was found in distress.

las-cruces child-abuse doña-ana-county supreme-court conviction

People & Organizations

Las CrucesDoña Ana CountyOffice of the Medical InvestigatorBriana ZamoraNew Mexico Supreme CourtLalo Anthony Castrillo IV

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