Albuquerque man arrested in connection with child's drug-related death

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — An Albuquerque man is behind bars, charged in the death of his 1-year-old child.

Agents from the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office arrested Thomas Soto at a gas station in northeast Albuquerque on Monday.

In February, Albuquerque police officers found a dead 1-year-old child while responding to the Arroyo Vista Apartments near Montgomery and I-25. According to prosecutors, Soto had already run away when police arrived.

Authorities later discovered that Soto's two other children tested positive for fentanyl and meth after conducting a hair follicle drug test. An autopsy also reportedly found that the 1-year-old child had died from what prosecutors described as the “toxic effects of fentanyl and meth.”

Soto is charged with first-degree negligent child abuse resulting in death. He is also charged with two counts of third-degree child abuse. The court has scheduled his first appearance for Friday.