On October 29, an Albuquerque man named Lawrence Gabaldon, aged 32, was arrested in connection with the tragic death of one of his twin 6-month-old daughters due to methamphetamine exposure. Gabaldon faces serious charges, including child abuse and reckless child abuse resulting in death. A judge in the 2nd Judicial District Court has granted a pretrial detention motion for him, and he will remain incarcerated without bond at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. Gabaldon’s legal troubles have been ongoing, with a warrant for his arrest issued back in December but not executed until October 17 of the current year.
Gabaldon’s partner, Gloria Tesillo, the mother of the twins, had already been convicted on similar charges in May, resulting in child abuse and reckless abuse of a child leading to death. Tesillo is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in early November. The case has drawn significant attention due to its horrifying circumstances involving the death of an innocent child from substance exposure. According to police reports, surveillance footage captured Gabaldon arriving frantically at a Days Inn motel, where he called for Tesillo, exclaiming, “The baby, she’s purple,” indicating an urgent medical crisis.
The police were alerted shortly after Gabaldon’s distress call, with reports suggesting the 6-month-old might be dead inside their motel room. Upon arrival, an officer discovered the infant unresponsive and not breathing on a bed. Despite attempts by law enforcement and Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel to revive her, the efforts were unsuccessful. An autopsy would later reveal the cause of death as “toxic effects of methamphetamine,” highlighting the severe consequences of involving children in drug-related environments. Subsequent tests on the surviving twin indicated exposure to multiple substances, including cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, and cannabis.
The investigation into the deaths revealed that Tesillo initially provided misleading information regarding Gabaldon’s role in caring for the children, citing fear of possible retaliation. However, during a recorded phone call from jail, she eventually acknowledged Gabaldon’s direct involvement in their care when the tragedy unfolded. Gabaldon admitted to using pills while with the children, stating he fell asleep only to wake up to find one of his daughters “hard and cold,” indicating a grim scenario in the motel room.
Authorities discovered a disturbing scene inside the motel room, which was littered with drug paraphernalia, including a straw pipe, burnt foil, a digital scale, and numerous narcotics pill bottles. A black bag containing a “white powdery substance” was also located, alongside a significant chemical smell emanating from the room’s environment. The details of the case paint a grim picture of neglect and risk, raising critical questions about child welfare and the systemic failures that can lead to such tragedies.
The reporting on this case was featured by Esteban Candelaria, who is affiliated with Report for America, an initiative that aims to enhance local journalism by placing journalists in newsrooms across the United States. Candelaria specifically covers issues related to child welfare and the New Mexico state agency responsible for youth and family services. The unfolding tragedy surrounding the lives of these children underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and intervention strategies concerning children exposed to drugs and domestic turmoil, pointing to a larger societal issue that demands attention and accountability.