By KRWG News
Las Cruces – A Las Cruces couple has been arrested on child abuse charges after their 17-month-old was taken to a local hospital with a broken leg.
Jose Manuel Valles, 25, and Courtney McGuire, 21, both of 825 S. Telshor Blvd., are charged with one count each of intentional child abuse. Valles also faces one count of possession of marijuana.
On Tuesday, April 12, McGuire took her 17-month-old son to Memorial Medical Center where the child was found to be suffering from a fractured femur. Hospital staff notified police when they suspected the child's injury was consistent with child abuse. The injury is serious enough to require surgery.
Las Cruces Police detectives learned that earlier on Tuesday McGuire was preparing a bath for her son when he began crying. Detectives learned that Valles became angry and took the child into a bedroom where he grabbed the boy's leg and heard a popping sound.
The child began screaming so Valles drove him and McGuire to the emergency room, dropped them off and left the hospital on foot. Detectives learned that McGuire first told hospital staff that her son was injured when he fell from a crib. She later told detectives that she has seen Valles abusing their child in the past.
Valles is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $36,000 while McGuire is incarcerated on a $35,000 bond.