Investigators filed additional charges against 37-year-old Dominic Frederick Salas, the man suspected of intentionally causing harm to his girlfriend’s young children, and police have arrested two women – including the children’s mother – as part of this case.
Dominic Frederick Salas, 37, now faces four felony counts of intentional child abuse. Salas was charged with two of the counts in mid-July and was arrested July 22. Salas was arrested once again, on July 30, on the two additional charges.
Also arrested July 30 was 33-year-old Cassidy B. Baker who is suspected of allowing Salas to live in her home since his release from jail. Baker is charged with one felony count of harboring and aiding a felon. While searching for Salas on the two additional charges, police made contact with Baker and let her know she could be charged if she knowingly helped Salas elude capture. On July 30, police located Baker and Salas traveling together in Baker’s vehicle.
Rose M. Lopez-Callahan, 36, the mother of three children Salas is accused of intentionally harming, was arrested on July 29. Lopez-Callahan is charged with four counts of intentional child abuse and two counts of failure to report child abuse. Investigators learned that Lopez-Callahan knew her children were being abused by Salas but did not report the incidents to authorities and, instead, remained in the relationship. Lopez-Callahan has four children 13 years old or younger. Investigators determined that Salas abused three children ages 13, 11 and 2.
Las Cruces police were assigned to investigate Salas after a referral was made through the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. An 11-year-old boy, the son of Lopez-Callahan, told police he was excessively disciplined by Salas who also threatened to kill him.
Investigators conducted safe house interviews with the children who reside in the home. Investigators learned that, in one incident, Salas is accused of grabbing the 11-year-old boy’s neck and lifting him off the floor. In another instance, Salas is accused of holding the boy on the floor and pouring water over his mouth and nose which restricted the boy’s breathing.
Detectives are continuing their investigation.
Salas, Lopez-Callahan and Baker are each initially being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.