A Heartbreaking Case of Neglect: The Christina Bennett Story


A recent heartbreaking case of child abuse involving a mother and her infant daughter has sent shockwaves through the Albuquerque community and beyond.

In 2024, Christina Bennett, a 31-year-old mother, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading no contest to charges related to the death of her five-month-old daughter. 

This true crime case uncovered a series of tragic events that shattered a family and highlighted critical flaws in the criminal justice system

Christina Bennett


The story began on April 21, 2023, when the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at a home on the 10000 block of Ralph Street NE. 

When officers arrived, they found Bennett holding her deceased daughter and refusing to surrender the child to medics who were trying to perform life-saving measures.

She was eventually restrained by the responding officers, allowing paramedics to perform their duties. 

Tragically, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene, and Christina Bennett was immediately taken into custody.

According to the witness who called 911, Bennett reportedly came to their house to ask for a lighter to use drugs. 

During the conversation, she casually mentioned that her baby was dead, as seen in this bodycam footage obtained by Law&Crime.

Thankfully, after she left, the quick-thinking neighbor immediately called 911 to get help for the baby, but sadly, it was too late by the time paramedics arrived.

An autopsy later revealed the presence of methamphetamine in the baby’s blood, though the exact cause of death remained undetermined.  

Christina Bennett's arrest


Christina Bennett, who had a history of drug use, was already facing an outstanding felony warrant for child abuse at the time of her daughter’s death. 

According to local news outlets, criminal investigators discovered that Christina Bennett had been driving under the influence of illegal drugs and also breastfeeding her infant while using meth.

Sadly, no immediate action was taken against Bennett, and the child remained in her custody.

The handling of this outstanding warrant has raised concerns about the response of local agencies, including the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), which claimed to be unaware of Bennett’s warrant. 

Many believe the innocent child could have received timely and adequate help if the warrant had been managed properly.

Despite these systemic failures, Judge Stan Whitaker emphasized the need for accountability, sentencing Bennett to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised probation.  

During her sentencing, Bennett’s 12-year-old daughter shared a heart-wrenching letter, detailing the emotional toll of her mother’s actions. 

“A mother is supposed to protect her kids. Christina did not, and my life may never be the same,” the letter read. 

Bennett, in turn, apologized and cited her own traumatic experiences, including abuse and a brain injury from a shooting, as contributing factors to her actions.  

This tragic story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of suspected abuse. 


Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately. 

You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.


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