Mother Accused of Choking 6-Year-Old Daughter Over Crying, Then Offering a Toy to Keep Her Silent, Police Say

A New Mexico mother is facing a child abuse charge after authorities alleged that she placed her 6-year-old daughter in a chokehold during an incident that reportedly left the child struggling to breathe. Investigators say the mother later promised the young girl a toy if she kept what happened a secret from others.

Angela Gomez Luera, 26, was arrested on October 20, 2026, in connection with the alleged incident. She was subsequently released on her own recognizance, according to Law&Crime. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 2.

The disturbing allegations came to light after the girl’s father noticed injuries and took his daughter to a hospital for medical attention.

Father Notices Injuries and Takes His Daughter to the Hospital

According to a criminal complaint cited by Law&Crime, the investigation began on October 11, when a deputy with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report involving a 6-year-old girl who had been brought to a hospital by her father.

The father reportedly told authorities that his daughter had said her mother, Gomez Luera, had placed her in a chokehold.

Investigators noted that the child had redness around her neck and bruising around her eyes. These observations prompted further inquiries into what had happened while the girl was in her mother’s care.

Authorities also learned that the child had visited her school nurse and requested an ice pack because she was hurting, according to the complaint.

The father and Gomez Luera reportedly share custody of the girl, making the allegations particularly concerning for the family as investigators worked to establish what had occurred.

Child Says She Could Not Breathe During the Alleged Incident

During a subsequent interview conducted at the child’s school, investigators reportedly obtained a more detailed account of the alleged assault.

According to the complaint, the girl said she had been crying when her mother allegedly placed her in a chokehold. The child told investigators that the pressure continued until she could no longer breathe, and that her mother released her only after she screamed.

The girl also reportedly said her mother appeared to believe she had died during the incident.

Investigators documented the child’s account in the criminal complaint, including her description of what she experienced while being choked. Authorities said the alleged chokehold lasted several seconds.

Because the child is only 6 years old, the allegations have raised serious concerns about her safety and well-being. However, the claims remain allegations in an ongoing criminal case, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Investigators Say Mother Offered a ‘Squishy’ Toy for Silence

Perhaps one of the most troubling details in the case involves what the mother allegedly said after the incident.

According to investigators, the girl reported that Gomez Luera promised to buy her a “squishy” toy if she did not tell anyone what had happened.

The alleged promise is now part of the account described in the criminal complaint. Investigators have not publicly established every detail of the interaction, but the child’s reported statements helped authorities piece together the events under investigation.

The case highlights the difficulties investigators can face when examining alleged abuse involving very young children. Children may have limited ways to describe frightening experiences, making their accounts, physical observations and follow-up interviews important parts of an investigation.

In this case, the girl’s father reportedly acted after learning about the alleged chokehold, taking her for medical evaluation and returning with her for a follow-up examination two days later.

Mother Arrested and Released Pending Court Proceedings

Gomez Luera was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on October 20 after being charged with child abuse, according to Law&Crime.

She was released the same day on her own recognizance, meaning she was permitted to remain out of custody under the applicable release conditions rather than being required to post a traditional cash bond.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 2. Further proceedings are expected to address the allegations and the evidence presented by prosecutors.

The publicly reported information does not establish a conviction, and the criminal case remains unresolved.

A Case Centered on a Young Child’s Safety

The allegations have drawn attention not only because of the reported choking incident, but also because investigators say the child was offered a toy in exchange for keeping the incident secret.

The investigation began after the father brought his daughter to the hospital and reported what she had told him. Medical observations and the child’s subsequent interview provided additional information for authorities reviewing the case.

As the legal process moves forward, the allegations will need to be evaluated through the courts. For now, the central questions concern what happened during the reported incident, the evidence supporting the charge, and the measures necessary to protect the child’s welfare.

Source: Law&Crime