Charles Lopez, 32, is facing child abuse and aggravated battery charges after a domestic dispute allegedly turned physical. Police said they found children in the home living in filthy conditions with no food.
When Sunland Park Police responded to a 911 call on Oct. 11 they were met by Lopez's girlfriend and the mother of three children, ranging in age from 3 months to 12 years, who lived in the home.
The woman appeared upset that police arrived at the home, telling authorities multiple times to leave her house, according to court records.
Lopez had allegedly pushed the woman during an argument, causing injuries to her , authorities said.
Police found that the children had been living in filthy conditions in the home, which included "dirty clothes on the floor scattered everywhere, dirty diapers, dirty dishes and even expired moldy food," court records state. And two children were only eating meals at school because there wasn't adequate food in the home, police said.
The three children were placed in custody of New Mexico's Children, Youth & Families Department, according to court records.