Child dies from abuse
Foster mother charged

18-mo. old Colby Shirley has died from abuse received during the child's stay with a foster family. [Courtesy Photo]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Police booked 32-year-old foster mother Cleo Juan into the local jail on Tuesday afternoon where she remains on a $100,000 cash only bond.

Investigator Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said Cleo Juan was arrested on a more serious charge of child abuse resulting in death at about 2 p.m. just days after she paid a $25,000 cash or surety bond and was released. Eighteen-month-old Colby Shirley's death on Monday prompted local officials to upgrade the charges to a felony offense that could come with a sentence of life in prison.

Shirley was initially transported to Public Health Services and later flown to Albuquerque's Children's Hospital for treatment of a brain hemorrhage about a week ago. Gallup police officers were called to Juan's Chamisal Avenue residence after Colby stopped breathing.

According to court documents, Juan provided investigators and Children, Youth and Families Department officials with inconsistant accounts of what led to the toddler's injuries, but eventually confessed to the abuse.

Wilmer Shirley, Colby's father, declined comment on Tuesday morning about the situation pending the outcome of a meeting with his attorney.

"We are still pretty shaken up," he said.

The family is seeking donations to fund the baby's funeral on Saturday. Donations are being accepted at Cope Mortuary at 1830 Barbara Street.