In the years prior to the boy’s death, state investigators with the Children, Youth, and Families Department had responded to at least four reports of neglect involving the child.

A New Mexico mother has been arrested after authorities say she is suspected of allowing her 5-year-old son to slowly die by starvation.

Marecella Vasquez Montelongo, 23, was arrested in late February months after her son, who had Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities, was found in July unconscious and not breathing at her Albuquerque home. The boy was pronounced dead and an autopsy later determined that he died of starvation and dehydration due to neglect, according to a criminal complaint provided to USA TODAY.

In the years prior to the boy’s death, state investigators with the Children, Youth, and Families Department had responded to at least four reports of neglect involving the child, according to the complaint.

Montelongo had her first court appearance Wednesday in a Bernalillo County court room on a charge of child abuse resulting in death. A judge ruled that Montelongo must remain in custody until the start of her trial and complete an addiction treatment program, according to KOAT-TV, which was the first to report on the case.

Philadelphia: Body found in duffel bag identified as 4-year-old reported missing in December

Child appeared to be ‘skin and bones’ at his death

Albuquerque police were dispatched to Montelongo’s home on July 16 after receiving a report of the unresponsive child. While paramedics attempted life-saving measures, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the complaint, dated Feb. 26.

Montelongo told police at the scene that she had fed her son but that he had vomited. Shortly after, she noticed he was not breathing and called 911, the complaint states.

At the time of his death, the boy appeared as “skin and bones,” with his hip bones clearly defined and open ulcers on his tailbone, according to the complaint. When medical examiners conducted a preliminary autopsy, they discovered that the boy had dropped to a weight of about 13.6 pounds.

The final autopsy, which was completed in October, concluded that Montelongo’s son had died from starvation and dehydration, and ruled that the manner of death was a homicide.

‘Red flags’ surfaced before boy’s July death

The boy was nonverbal, blind, used a wheelchair and required round-the-clock care, according to investigators. Montelongo was required to give her son medication three times a day through a gastrostomy tube, otherwise known as a G-tube.

However, Montelongo routinely missed her son’s doctor’s appointments, including five since December 2022. While she noticed her son was losing weight, she told investigators that she did not think it was a concern, the complaint states.

Since the boy’s birth, the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department received four reports of medical neglect, including one report that was substantiated, according to the complaint.

Though the child was enrolled at he New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, records provided to investigators showed that he only reported for on day of school in September 2022 and never showed up again.

“This defendant made efforts to hide the abuse and this child’s demise from medical advisors and the school,” Bernalillo County Judge David Murphy said at Montelongo’s hearing, according to video aired by KOAT-TV.

Some advocates went so far as to question how Montelongo was able to retain custody of her son following the series of red flags.

“We had medical providers, educational providers, service providers and family members raising flags,” Maralyn Beck, founder and executive director of the nonprofit New Mexico Child Network told KOAT-TV. “Yet here we are.”

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

Southern Oregon sculptor Russell Beebe’s highly prized artwork can tower 20 feet into the air, yet more mesmerizing than magnitude are the intricate details, from a beaded necklace to an eagle feather, depicting ancient stories and Indigenous culture.

Over his long and varied career, Beebe, 81 and of Anishinaabe heritage, has created a Lamborghini-inspired sports car body, nature paintings and fine furniture. For the last two decades, however, he has become famous for his teaching and prayer poles praised for their artistry and the emotions they evoke. Each pole, chiseled from a fallen tree, takes more than 1,000 hours to carve using hand tools to achieve a sense of movement, shadows and other dramatic effects.

Nashville, TN — CEOs surveyed for Chief Executive magazine’s annual list of the Best and Worst States for Business ranked Utah as the top Western state and the ninth-best state for business overall, moving up from last year’s tenth spot. The rankings, released in the Spring issue of Chief Executive, reflect Utah’s ongoing efforts to create a welcoming environment for businesses of all sizes and industries.

The ranking is based on a survey of more than 500 CEOs across the country who were asked to rate states based on their opinion of how easy it was to do business in that state versus others. Utah’s high ranking is due in part to strategic policies and smart fiscal decisions.

“Utah’s stellar performance as a top state for business underscores its exceptional qualities,” said Chris Chalk, Publisher, Chief Executive magazine. “Its dedication to economic growth and prosperity sets a strong example, making Utah a standout destination for businesses of all sizes and industries.”

Large tech and manufacturing deals demonstrate the growth in the Beehive State and underscores its favorable ranking. Texas Instruments announced in February 2023 it will invest $11 billion and create up to 800 jobs at a semi-conductor wafer fabrication plant in Lehi, while Proctor & Gamble Paper Products Company announced in February 2023 a $400 million capital investment.

“Professional, scientific and technical services remain one of the fastest growing sectors in the state, said Theresa Foxley, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “The growth in Utah is the result of top-notch higher education institutions and a thriving innovation economy that has been expanding over the past decade.”

Here’s what some of the CEOs we surveyed had to say about why they ranked Utah so highly:

“Large workforce, low taxes and restrictions, quality of life”

“Utah’s workforce is exceptional.”

“Friendly, welcoming business growth environment in these states.  Utah has created an environment for active collaboration between industry and end-users.  The Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative or UAMMI, is a collective group of industry representative, private industry, Govt organizations and higher education, which provides integration assistance between interested parties.  UAMMI has been an overwhelming success in the State of Utah.” 

The Top 5 States for 2024:

1.  Texas

2.  Florida

3.  Tennessee

4.  Arizona

5.  North Carolina

The Bottom 5 States for 2024:

46. Washington

47. New Jersey

48. Illinois

49. New York

50. California

Biggest Gain, 2023-24:

North Dakota, + 13 to 16th place

Biggest Loss, 2023-24:

Colorado, – 16 to 29th place

Enhanced Coverage online: https://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-business/

About Chief Executive/Chief Executive Group

Chief Executive Group, a leading community for business leaders worldwide, exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, CHROs and corporate directors. We publish Chief Executive magazine, ChiefExecutive.net, Corporate Board Member magazine, BoardMember.com, StrategicCFO360.com, StrategicCIO360.com and StrategicCHRO360.com, and run some of the nation’s most essential peer-networking communities, including The CFO Leadership Council, Chief and Senior Executive Networks, Corporate Board Member Network and The American College of Corporate Directors. Learn more at ChiefExecutiveGroup.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:Dan Bigman, Editor, Chief Executive, [email protected], 203-889-4980

SOURCE Chief Executive Group