NM - 4 adults charged over death and sexual abuse of 3-year old girl - Jan 14, 2024

[Niner]

Monday, Nov. 24th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 11am MT) – NM – LS -3 year old girl, brought to Univ. of NM hospital dead & allegedly sexually abused, Jan. 14, 2024 in Albuquerque – Kerri Anne Santos (33/now 35) “mom” arrested (1/14/24), indicted & charged (1/29/24) & arraigned (2/12/24) with 1 count of reckless abuse of a child (results in death), 1 count of 1st degree kidnapping, 2 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), tampering with evidence (highest crime a Capital, 1st of 2nd degree felony) & failure to report child abuse or neglect. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Albuquerque
Judge David A. Murphy. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg –Koch. Defense attorney Gwenivere H. Shaw.
Case & Court info from 1/14/24 thru 6/2/25 reference post #126 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-of-3-year-old-girl-jan-14-2024.701022/page-7
7/3/25 Update: Next competency hearing on 7/22/25 @ 9am.
7/16/25 Docket update: State of NM's response in opposition to defendant's request for hearing under Section 31-9-1.5 & Motion to Compel defendant's evaluation at the NY Behavioral Health Institute. Competency hearing held. 7/22/25 Update: Audio log notes from competency hearing. 7/28/25 Docket update: Order on Motion for competency evaluation [psychiatric/Diagnostic evaluation].
8/11/25 Docket update: Order to transport for competency evaluation.
11/7/25 Update: Status conference hearing on 11/24/25 @ 11am.
*James L. Welch (48/now 50) – Status conference hearing on 9/3/25.
*Austin Lamont Bing (28/now 30) – Status conference hearing on 9/3/25. Fugitive charges detention hearing on 2/14/24.
*Christina Hopkins Pena-Cantor (46/now 48) – Status conference hearing on 10/28/25.

 

[Niner]

No updates on the others....

Santos:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
12/09/2025 1:30 PM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

11/24/2025 11:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 716

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
11/24/2025 NTC: HEARING (STATUS)
Set 12/09/25 at 1:30 pm, in-person hearing, courtroom TBD.

11/21/2025 MTN: TO APPEAR TELEPHONICALLY D 1
EXPEDITED MOTION TO APPEAR TELEPHONICALLY

11/04/2025 ORD: TO SEAL
Order Sealing Report; Confidential Forensic Report
11/04/2025 NTC: HEARING (STATUS)
Set 11/24/25 at 11:00 am, in-person hearing, courtroom TBD.

link: Stale Session

 

[Niner]

Finally some updates...

Welch:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/03/2026 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Docket Call Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

01/20/2026 10:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

09/03/2025 1:30 PM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 302

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
12/04/2025 NTC: HEARING (STATUS)
Set 1/20/26 at 10:00 am, in-person hearing, courtroom TBD.


Bing:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/03/2026 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Docket Call Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

01/20/2026 10:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

09/03/2025 1:30 PM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 302

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
12/04/2025 NTC: HEARING (STATUS)
Set 1/20/26 at 10:00 am, in-person hearing, courtroom TBD.


Pena-Cantor
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/03/2026 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Docket Call Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

01/20/2026 10:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

10/28/2025 10:00 AM Motion Hearing Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 606

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
12/04/2025 NTC: HEARING (STATUS)
Set 1/20/26 at 10:00 am, in-person hearing, courtroom TBD.

link: Home - New Mexico Courts

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Dec. 9th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 1:30pm MT) – NM – LS -3 year old girl, brought to Univ. of NM hospital dead & allegedly sexually abused, Jan. 14, 2024 in Albuquerque – Kerri Anne Santos (33/now 35) “mom” arrested (1/14/24), indicted & charged (1/29/24) & arraigned (2/12/24) with 1 count of reckless abuse of a child (results in death), 1 count of 1st degree kidnapping, 2 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), tampering with evidence (highest crime a Capital, 1st of 2nd degree felony) & failure to report child abuse or neglect. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Albuquerque
Judge David A. Murphy. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg –Koch. Defense attorney Gwenivere H. Shaw.
Case & Court info from 1/14/24 thru 6/2/25 reference post #126 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-of-3-year-old-girl-jan-14-2024.701022/page-7
7/3/25 Update: Next competency hearing on 7/22/25 @ 9am.
7/16/25 Docket update: State of NM's response in opposition to defendant's request for hearing under Section 31-9-1.5 & Motion to Compel defendant's evaluation at the NY Behavioral Health Institute. Competency hearing held. 7/22/25 Update: Audio log notes from competency hearing. 7/28/25 Docket update: Order on Motion for competency evaluation [psychiatric/Diagnostic evaluation].
8/11/25 Docket update: Order to transport for competency evaluation.
11/7/25 Update: Status conference hearing on 11/24/25 @ 11am. 11/4/25 Docket update: Order sealing report; confidential forensic report. 11/21/25 Docket update: Expedited motion to appear telephonically.
11/24/25 Update: Next status hearing on 12/9/25 @ 1:30pm, in person hearing.
*James L. Welch (48/now 50) – Status conference hearing on 1/20/26.
*Austin Lamont Bing (28/now 30) – Status conference hearing on 1/20/26. Fugitive charges detention hearing on 2/14/24.
*Christina Hopkins Pena-Cantor (46/now 48) – Status conference hearing on 1/20/26.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 20th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 10am MT) – NM – LS -3 year old girl, brought to Univ. of NM hospital dead & allegedly sexually abused, Jan. 14, 2024 in Albuquerque. *James L. Welch (48/now 51) arrested (1/14/24), indicted (2/8/24), Re-charged (2/13/24) & arraigned (2/19/24) with 1 count of reckless abuse of child (results in death), abuse of child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), tampering with evidence & failure to report child abuse or neglect. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Albuquerque
Judge David A. Murphy presiding. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg-Koch. Defense attorney Rose M. Osbourne.
Case & Court info from 6/27/25 thru 7/24/25 reference post #132 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-of-3-year-old-girl-jan-14-2024.701022/page-7
7/25/25 Docket update: Status conference hearing on 9/3/25 @ 1:30pm, in person hearing. 9/3/25 Docket update: Audio log notes for hearing on 9/3/25.
10/27/25 Docket update: Pretrial Services: Step Down Report. Ok to file.
12/4/25 Docket update: Next status hearing on 1/20/26 @ 10am, in person hearing. And pretrial conference hearing on 4/3/26 @ 9am.

ALSO:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 10am MT) –NM – LS -3 year old girl, brought to Univ. of NM hospital dead & allegedly sexually abused, Jan. 14, 2024 in Albuquerque - *Austin Lamont Bing (28/now 31) arrested (1/14/24), indicted & charged (1/29/24) & arraignment (2/19/24) with 1 count of reckless abuse of a child (results in death), 1 count of 1st degree kidnapping (no intent to commit sex offense), 3 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), tampering with evidence (highest crime a capital, 1st or 2nd degree felony) & failure to report child abuse or neglect. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Albuquerque
Judge David A. Murphy. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg –Koch. Defense attorney-public defender John A McCall.
Case & Court info from 1/14/24 thru 7/24/25 reference post #132 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-of-3-year-old-girl-jan-14-2024.701022/page-7
7/25/25 Docket update: Status conference hearing on 9/3/25 @ 1:30pm, in person hearing. 9/3/25 Docket update: Audio log notes for hearing on 9/3/25.
12/4/25 Docket update: Next status hearing on 1/20/26 @ 10am, in person hearing. And pretrial conference hearing on 4/3/26 @ 9am.

ALSO:
*Status Hearing (@ 10am MT) - NM – LS -3 year old girl, brought to Univ. of NM hospital dead & allegedly sexually abused, Jan. 14, 2024 in Albuquerque - *Christina Hopkins Pena-Cantor (46/now 49) arrested (1/14/24), indicted, charged (1/29/24) & arraigned (2/5/24) with 1 count of reckless abuse of a child (results in death), 1 count of 1st degree kidnapping (no intent to commit sex offense), 3 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), tampering with evidence (highest crime a Capital, 1st or 2nd degree felony) & failure to report child abuse or neglect. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Albuquerque
Judge Brett R. Loveless presiding. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg-Koch. Defense attorney Keren H. Fenderson.
Case & Court info from 1/14/24 thru 9/15/25 reference post #136 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-of-3-year-old-girl-jan-14-2024.701022/page-7
9/17/25 Docket Update: Motions hearing on 10/28/25 @ 10am, in-person hearing. 10/28/25 Update: Audio log notes. 11/6/25 Docket update: Order Denying Defendant's Motion. 11/7/25 Docket: Amended State's response to defendant motion for CYFD records.
12/4/25 Docket update: Next status hearing on 1/20/26 @ 10am, in person hearing. And pretrial conference hearing on 4/3/26 @ 9am.
*Kerri Anne Santos (33/now 36) “mom” – Status hearing on 12/9/25. No update as of 1/20/26.

 

[Niner]

No updates for Santos.

No docket updates for:
for Welch & Pena-Cantor

Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/03/2026 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Docket Call Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

01/20/2026 10:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 620


Bing:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/03/2026 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Docket Call Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT

01/20/2026 10:00 AM Status Hearing/ Conference Murphy, David A. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT COURT Courtroom 620

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
01/14/2026 RESPONSE P 1
STATE'S RESPONDE TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR VIOLATION OF SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHTS

01/04/2026 MTN: MOTION D 1
FOR SPEEDY TRIAL

link: Home - New Mexico Courts