Prison sentence for mother who abused and killed her 6-month-old baby

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A judge will sentence a mother who abused her six-month-old baby to death at a Days Inn hotel in northwest Albuquerque.

In May, the jury took less than 30 minutes to reach a verdict against Gloria Tesillo. They convicted him of first-degree child abuse resulting in death and third-degree child abuse.

Tesillo told police she worked at the Days Inn near Coors and Iliff and left her twin babies in the care of her sister in a hotel room. Her six-month-old twins and the twins’ father were also staying there.

When Tesillo returned to their room, he found one of the twins unconscious and not breathing.

According to police, an officer was flagged down near the hotel regarding the baby. First responders then arrived and attempted life-saving measures. However, it was determined that the child was dead.

Officers said they found drugs and drug residue throughout the room, within reach of the baby and his sister. Police said a “straw tube” was found in the car seat and “black tar residue” covered much of the floor, documents said.

Medical investigators later determined that the baby’s cause of death was the toxic effects of meth.

Investigators said they interviewed the father, who said he used fentanyl and passed out while watching the children. When he woke up, he saw that the child was dead.

Authorities performed a hair follicle test on the other child. This child reportedly tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, meth, and benzodiazepine.

The verdict will be given on Wednesday at 13:30, with Judge Cindy Leos presiding.

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