Rozanna M. Martinez, Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)

A small effort started by a group of police dispatchers has snowballed into a public collection of toys and clothing for two West Side girls who were abused and neglected and found by authorities days before Christmas.

“The more we heard how severe the abuse was and how they were neglected, and it being Christmas, we decided we wanted to do something to help the transition go a little easier for them,” Albuquerque police dispatcher Amber Bailey said. “We decided as a communications center to donate whatever we could – if it was $5 or a stuffed animal or clothes.”

Once news coverage of the case reached the masses, there was an outpouring from police and the public wanting to help the 3- and 5-year-old victims, Bailey said.

The girls’ mother, Roberta Marquez-Chavez, 19, was arrested the early morning of Dec. 24 on two counts of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm at the home she shared with the girls on 68th Street NW. She is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Marquez-Chavez blamed her boyfriend, Jesus Acosta-Contreras, 28, for injuring the girls while she was at work. She said she did not report the injuries to police because she was afraid of Acosta-Contreras. A felony warrant was issued Wednesday for Acosta-Contreras, charging him with child abuse, according to Metropolitan Court records. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 843-7867.

Police said the injuries to the 3 year old included cuts to her head, face and a toe as well as “several abrasions throughout her body.” She also had multiple broken ribs, a fractured skull, a burn on her foot, and ligature marks on her legs from being tied up. She told police, about the cut on her head, that Acosta-Contreras cut her. The 5 year old’s injuries included a healed broken left arm that didn’t properly heal, several broken ribs “and a chunk of hair pulled out from the top of her head,” police said.

Police also reported that both girls appeared to be suffering malnutrition.

“Obviously, they had a rough and unfortunate Christmas, and we are supporting this donation in an effort to hopefully brighten it,” APD spokeswoman Officer Tasia Martinez said.

Marquez-Chavez also has an 11-month-old girl. An initial evaluation of the girl did not seem to indicate signs of abuse or neglect, according to state Children, Youth and Families Department spokesman Bob Tafoya.

The girls are now in a foster home pending a CYFD investigation.

Donations of new and gently used clothing and age-appropriate toys for the girls will be accepted through Friday at the Albuquerque Police Department ‘s Shaw n McWet hy Memorial Substation at 6404 Los Volcanes NW. The substation can be reached at 831-4705.

Sizes for the girls are: size 4 children’s shoe for the 11 month old; 3T size clothing and size 9 children’s shoes for the 3 year old; and size 5T clothing and size 10 children’s shoes for the 5 year old, Martinez said.

Size 3 and size 7 diapers as well as baby wipes are needed for the two younger children. The 3 year old has not been potty trained, according to police.

Educational toys are suggested for the 5 year old because she has not been to school, Martinez said.

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