Man arrested for allegedly kidnapping 10-month-old, killing 2 women in New Mexico park
05/07/2024 10:32 am PDT
CLOVIS, N.M. (TCD) -- A 26-year-old man was taken into custody in Texas for allegedly abducting a 10-month-old girl, killing the child's mother and another woman, and shooting a 5-year-old.
On Friday, May 3, at 4:26 p.m., the Clovis Police Department received a call from someone who said they found two deceased women at Ned Houk Park. Officers arrived at the park and located the two victims with gunshot wounds on the ground near a minivan, as well as a child with a head injury. Paramedics transported the child to a nearby hospital, and she was later transferred to another hospital in Lubbock, Texas.
The Clovis Police Department identified the two adult victims as Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen, both 23.
Police became worried after discovering a car seat, stroller, and baby bottle at the scene. They immediately began looking for the child, Eleia Maria Torres, and later learned the missing infant was Cisneros' daughter. Investigators issued an Amber Alert and said Torres was in "immediate danger."
On Monday, May 6, the Clovis Police Department announced Torres was found safe and taken to a hospital "as a precautionary measure." Investigators managed to find her after narcotics agents with the Abilene, Texas, Police Department set up surveillance on a house where the suspect, Alek Collins, was believed to be staying. He was taken into custody in Abilene on charges of aggravated robbery and assault on a peace officer, though additional charges are pending.
Deputy Police Chief Trevor Thron said in a press conference Monday that investigators do not believe Collins is related to the victims. They are still working to determine motive.
Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray announced Collins will be charged in New Mexico with two counts of open murder, two counts of child abuse, and one count of kidnapping.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda also spoke at the press conference and reiterated that detectives and agents are "not done yet."
He said, "We’re going to make sure this case is rock solid. We want to make sure the suspect pays for the heartache we’re all feeling today."
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