GRANTS, NM - A disorderly conduct call led Grants Police Department to Vista Mesa Villa Apartments on July 11. The incident unfolded in the afternoon, prompting police intervention and subsequent medical attention for a distressed mother, officers arrested the mother, Chasity Rivera, on the charge of Abandonment of a Child.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers made contact with the reporting party and manager of the apartments, near the main offices on the first floor. The person who called 911 informed a GPD officer that she was unaware of the whereabouts of Chasity Rivera, the tenant and mother of the small children who were present at the scene. There were three children, aged 7, 5, 4.
According to a police report of the incident, officers instructed the children to wait in the main office while she proceeded to apartment 114 in search of Rivera. Despite knocking on Rivera's door and identifying herself as a GPD officer, Officer Speck received no response or signs of activity from inside the apartment. She then returned to the front office to gather more information from the children.
During this time, a call was received by the dispatch from an anonymous person claiming to be Rivera's aunt. The caller expressed concern for the welfare of Rivera and the children, citing distressing sounds from the children during the call. The aunt had initially contacted Child, Youth, and Family Services (CYFD), who referred her to the police due to the urgency of the situation.
The oldest child led Officer Speck to Apartment 215, where they encountered Charmayne Rafael. Rafael explained that she had been watching Rivera's children while the mother had gone to the store. However, upon Rivera's return, an argument had ensued, prompting Rivera to leave Rafael's apartment, followed by her children.
Unable to establish contact with Rivera once again, officer joined fellow officers who were also attempting to make contact with her. Their efforts proved unsuccessful, prompting officers to inform the reporting party that Ms. Rivera could not be reached in the apartment above. Meanwhile, officers radioed that they had spotted Ms. Rivera lying unresponsive on the floor, leading to a request for an ambulance.
Entering the apartment, officers found Rivera conscious but in a disoriented state. Rivera's speech was slurred, hindering effective communication. When asked about the whereabouts of her children, Rivera stated they were upstairs with Rafael. Concerned for the safety of the children, officers inquired further, but Rivera remained adamant about her children's location and appeared unaware of the present day.
Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and assessed Rivera, who continued to exhibit combative behavior, according to police reports. Due to her distressed state and inability to provide coherent answers, medical personnel cleared her for transport to Cibola General Hospital for further evaluation.
Upon obtaining medical clearance, officers placed Rivera under arrest and escorted her out of the apartment complex, where she continued to display disruptive behavior towards other residents.
Officers charged Rivera with three founts of Abandonment of a Child; and one count of Disorderly Conduct. She pleaded “Not Guilty” to all charges on July 11 during a hearing with Cibola County Magistrate Judge Johnny Valdez. Rivera was given a $1,000 unsecured bond.
The Grants Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident and working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the wellbeing of Rivera's children.