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17-Year Oold Las Cruces Mother Charged With Critically Injuring Baby

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have charged a 17-year-old mother with child abuse and her critically injured daughter remains hospitalized on life-support with what's commonly referred to as shaken baby syndrome.

Diana Atima Goenaga, 17, of the 1100 block of Monte Vista Avenue, is charged with one count of child abuse causing death or great bodily harm. Goenaga was arrested Monday evening and is being held without bond at the El Paso County Detention Center.

Goenaga's 2-month-old daughter, Jade, remains on life support at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso where she has been since Sunday afternoon.

Las Cruces Police detectives learned that on Wednesday, Nov. 3, the baby' 23-year-old father arrived at the couple's apartment and noticed Jade was unresponsive and limp. The couple began driving Jade to a Las Cruces hospital but, according to statements made to detectives, the baby appeared to regain consciousness so they returned home.

The couple told detectives that two days later they took Jade to a family doctor in Las Cruces who examined the baby and attributed the baby's symptoms, which included vomiting, to a change in formula. The couple again returned home with baby Jade.

Detectives learned that on Sunday morning the baby's father again noticed Jade to be unresponsive and rushed her to Mountain View Regional Medical Center. The girl was then transported by ambulance to Las Palmas where pediatric specialists determined Jade was suffering from head trauma consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Las Cruces Police were first notified of the baby's injuries Monday morning and detectives interviewed several individuals including Goenaga and the baby's father.

Goenaga was charged and taken into custody Monday evening at Las Palmas with the cooperation of the El Paso Police Department. LCPD detectives are continuing their investigation and additional charges in this case are possible.