Child abuse charged in crash
Police say driver endangered children

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A Grants woman was ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation following an arrest where she struck a guard rail twice and nearly hit a motorcyclist with her vehicle, all while two small children were in the car.

Debbie Chavez, 54, of 618 Stephens, faces charges of first degree felony of child abuse and the following misdemeanors: Aggravated DWI, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, possession of drug paraphernalia and no insurance.

The statutory penalty for conviction of child abuse is 18 years. Combined with the four misdemeanors, she stands to serve up to four days short of 22 years in state prison, a fine of up to $19,000, or both, if prosecuted and convicted of all charges.

A preliminary hearing has been set for July 24 in Cibola County Magistrate Court, however, the 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office has filed a motion to continue in order to present the case to the grand jury.

Grants Police Cpl. Salvador Corral responded to a call where a driver had struck a guard rail twice.

The guard rail accident occurred at New Mexico Highway 53 and Santa Fe Avenue, said Grants Police Lt. Maxine Spidle.

Chavez was found in her vehicle with the children at Cactus and Lava, behind McDonald's restaurant, she said.

Both of the children complained of pain, but no specific injuries were detailed, she said.

When Corral arrived, several people were pointing at Chavez, who was sitting in the car with one child and another standing outside the car, according to Magistrate Court records.

Chavez told Corral she was under the influence of medication from three back surgeries, as she swayed back and forth while standing and could not pay attention to what he was saying, court records state.

Corral found syringes and a spoon with some type of burn residue on it, according to court records.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197, or fax: (505) 287-2581.