Xaqueline Bynum: How Neglect and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claimed a 5-Year-Old’s Life in New Mexico

On March 10, 2024, a 5-year-old girl’s life came to a tragic end in a tiny home west of Silver City, New Mexico.

A criminal investigation into the death of Xaqueline Bynum shed light on a heartbreaking case of child abuse and neglect.

Her parents, Matthew Bynum and Music Adame now face felony charges following the tragic events of March 10, 2024. 

A day earlier, on March 9, 2024, the family celebrated Xaqueline’s fifth birthday. 

Hours later, her unresponsive body was found inside their tiny, unhygienic home, where hot coals were used for heat.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, the child's death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, a preventable tragedy.

Let's get into it.

Xaqueline Bynum (Source)

The Morning Everything Changed

Just after 11 a.m. on March 10, 2024, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive child at a property on Quail Run Road. 

When law enforcement officers arrived, they were greeted with a chaotic scene: a crime scene filled with clutter, foul odors, and lethargic adults.

According to the arrest affidavit, deputies described the parents as “out of it” and lethargic upon arrival.

Tragically, Xaqueline was discovered unresponsive, lying beneath her parents in a cluttered, unhygienic environment. 

Efforts to revive her failed. 

Also, her 7-year-old brother was found suffering from dehydration and pneumonia, but in stable condition.

The house where Xaqueline Bynum was found

Forensic Analysis Confirms Cause of Death

A detailed forensic investigation of the crime scene revealed that Xaqueline died from carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Her parents admitted to burning coals indoors for warmth, according to local news reports from KRQE

Despite being previously warned about it by the authorities, her parents continued using burning coals to heat the tiny, unventilated home.

According to the criminal complaint, only a small gap in a window provided ventilation that night, creating a deadly environment.

Additionally, toxicology reports revealed that the 7-year-old boy was exposed to methamphetamine. 

As a result, the boy was immediately placed in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD).

During a police interview, the parents admitted to drug use, with Adame stating, “I’ve done a lot of drugs in my life, and I’ve never felt like I did last night,” 

Despite previous warnings and interventions, the children were left in an environment described as “unfit for human habitation.”

Matthew Bynum

Music Adame

Charges and the Pursuit of Justice

Crime scene investigators believe that lack of proper sanitation and other horrible living conditions contributed to the tragedy.

According to law enforcement in New Mexico, this was not an isolated incident. 

The arrest affidavit revealed years of CYFD reports detailing child neglect, drug use, and domestic violence. 

The parents repeatedly ignored red flags like filthy living conditions, truancy, and abuse, refusing to cooperate despite multiple warnings.

By January 2024, school officials voiced concerns about the physical and emotional abuse of her children. 

In March 2024, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a temporary custody order, but intervention came too late to save Xaqueline.

Both parents are now in custody, facing severe legal repercussions. 

Matthew Bynum is charged with intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, a first-degree felony, along with additional charges of child abuse. 

Music Adame faces similar charges, with an added third-degree felony for exposing her son to methamphetamine.

As the community mourns the loss of Xaqueline, local advocates are calling for reforms. 

A memorial fund has been established to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and support other vulnerable children.

“A child’s safety should never depend on the responsiveness of their parents. It’s a societal responsibility to ensure no child lives in conditions like this,” stated a representative from CYFD.

You can watch the video below from Dr Insanity on YouTube where the case is analysed extensively with body cam footage. 

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