Man charged with murder after baby kidnapped and mother shot

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A man is in custody after a baby was kidnapped and her mother and friend were killed in New Mexico last week.

Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, was named Monday by Clovis police as the prime suspect in the case.

Mr. Collins, from Houston, Texas, about 600 miles from Clovis. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and two counts of child abuse following the attacks. He is not believed to be related to the victims.

Authorities responded to a 911 call on May 3 about two deceased women in Ned Houk Park. Officers found two victims, identified as 23-year-old Samantha Cisneros, the child’s mother, and Taryn Allen, also 23. The women are believed to have died from gunshot wounds.

Both women were from Texico, New Mexico. A girl was found at the scene of the accident with a head injury.

Police also found a car seat, a stroller and a baby bottle and began searching the area for a missing toddler.

Family members told authorities that Cisneros gave birth to a 10-month-old baby, Eleia Maria Torres. An Amber Alert was then issued for the child.

The child was found with Mr. Collins at a residence in Abilene, Texas, on Monday after being missing for four days, police said. Authorities said life-saving measures were performed on the child, who was transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas.

Mr. Collins was arrested and is being held in the Taylor County Jail. Police are continuing to investigate the motive in the case.

“Although we have the suspect in custody, there is still much work to be done,” police said in a statement.