Santa Fe, NM (KKOB) – The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a Doña Ana County man in the 2018 death of a two-year-old girl. In a unanimous decision, justices affirmed the conviction of Lalo Anthony Castrillo IV for intentional child abuse resulting in death. The victim, Faviola Rodriguez, died while in Castrillo’s care as he was babysitting while her mother was at work. Court records show Castrillo waited more than an hour to call 911 after the child was injured. Medical testimony during the trial by the Office of the Medical Investigator, indicated the toddler suffered severe head and brain injuries, including multiple impact sites, along with evidence of prior injuries. The OMI determined her death was caused by blunt force trauma. Castrillo argued there was not enough evidence to support the conviction and sought a new trial. However, the state’s high court rejected those claims, ruling the evidence presented was sufficient and upheld the jury’s decision.
Castillo IV was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing the little girl in 2023.
