Mother Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A 26-year-old Vado woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse after her children, ages 2 and 3, tested positive for methamphetamine.

Dona Ana Sheriff's officers arrested Candice Holden in December.

Sentencing was not immediately scheduled.

In April, the father of the children, Justin Kropf, asked state District Judge Mike Murphy to rescind Holden's visitation rights, which included daily, two-hour supervised visits.

Murphy rejected Kropf's motion, calling the children's time with Holden "very necessary for their emotional benefit."

Holden has been ordered to pay $50 a month in child support since February.

Last year, she pleaded guilty to a felony count of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.