Clovis Police provide Sunday afternoon update on missing 10-month-old girl in New Mexico
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Local, state and federal authorities are pleading for the public’s help to provide any information that may lead to the discovery of 10-month-old Eleia Maria Torres, missing since Friday afternoon. Her mother and another woman were found shot dead and her sister was located injured in a park just north of Clovis, New Mexico.
“We need to show our community’s support,” said Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice Sunday afternoon. “There have been a lot of tragic events, and a lot of people are damaged and are victims in this. And we’re here to help them.”
Clovis Police and the FBI stressed no detail is too small. What may seem like a minor observation could lead to a break in this case. Tips can be called to 575-763-9472.
The Amber Alert for Eleia Maria Torres states she is 28 inches tall and weighs 23 pounds, she has brown eyes and brown hair.
“It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you today to address the tragic incident that unfolded,” Clovis Deputy Chief Trevor Thron said, reiterating they are concerned about the safety and condition of little Eleia.
Albuquerque FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda also said top priority is finding the baby and the person or people responsible for her disappearance, the murder of her mother and another woman, and the injury of Eleia’s five-year-old sister.
After receiving a 911 call Friday afternoon reporting two dead women, responding officers found Samantha Cisneros, 23, and Taryn Allen, 23, both of Texico, NM, lying on the ground near a silver minivan in Ned Houk Park, about five miles north of Clovis. They also found the five-year-old girl. During the news conference Sunday, officials referred to Cisneros with first name of Harley instead of Samantha.
Police earlier stated officers found an infant car seat, stroller and a small baby bottle at the scene. According to a news release, officers were concerned there was an infant present when the crime occurred. Police immediately began a search for the baby.
K-9 and pond dive teams have scoured the surrounding area and have not found any additional evidence.
Deputy Chief Thron provided a more specific timeline Sunday, after authorities spoke with witnesses and family, and reviewed surveillance video. The two women and two children were first at a drive-in, then a dollar store before going to the park Friday.
Thron said a witness heard gun shots in the park, but did not immediately report this to police. At 4:25 p.m., a witness saw the two women and five-year-old lying in the park, then called 911.
As of Sunday afternoon, Deputy Chief Thron said the five-year-old girl is receiving care in a Lubbock hospital. He said they hope for a swift and full recovery.
The initial Amber Alert mentioned a maroon Honda as possibly being involved. Investigators found a small part of a vehicle with this color and Honda stamp. They do not know if this, in fact, connected to the perpetrator.
Clovis is about 100 miles northwest of Lubbock.
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