Overview
- Authorities charged John Hannon, 43, with felony child abuse resulting in death and second-degree tampering with evidence after deputies found him hiding in an RV during a welfare check.
- An autopsy reported a fractured skull and dirt in the baby's airways, and the examining doctor concluded the 11-month-old was likely buried alive.
- Investigators say Hannon took the child for a stroller walk in February, later returned without him, and video plus scene evidence tied a stroller and a single infant footprint to the remote spot off New Mexico 516 where the boy was found partially buried.
- In police interviews, Hannon denied hurting the child yet said the boy was "hurt bad," replied "No, not technically" when asked if he hit him, and told officers he "knew he was dead."
- His defense has asked the court to find him not competent to stand trial, and he remains in custody while evaluations proceed.