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John Hannon (San Juan County Adult Detention Center).
An unsettling case has emerged from New Mexico, involving a man who is now in custody following serious accusations. John Hannon, 43, is facing charges of child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence, as reported by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. This tragic series of events unfolded after an 11-month-old child was discovered to have been killed and partially buried in a secluded area.
The investigation took a turn when a concerned homeowner reached out to authorities after reviewing surveillance footage. The video, recorded the previous day, captured a man behaving suspiciously while pushing a stroller near Flora Vista, a remote area close to the Four Corners region. San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari addressed the incident in a Facebook video, outlining the details that led deputies to the scene.
Upon arrival, deputies were unable to find anyone but did discover an abandoned stroller. Later that day, the situation escalated when the child’s mother reported her baby missing since Saturday afternoon. She recounted that Hannon, the child’s father, had taken the baby and a 4-year-old for a walk to a nearby Dollar General store, only to return with the older child. Hannon allegedly explained that the baby had been picked up by a grandparent, a claim that raised red flags with authorities.
In a twist of fate, a deputy who responded to the call about the missing child recalled the abandoned stroller incident. Authorities quickly made the connection, identifying Hannon as the man seen in the surveillance footage. The video did not clearly show if a child was in the stroller, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Law enforcement officials proceeded to Hannon’s residence, where he refused to cooperate, prompting deputies to force entry. Inside, they found Hannon hiding, but the baby was nowhere to be found. According to Sheriff Ferrari, Hannon provided conflicting accounts regarding the child’s whereabouts, deepening the mystery and urgency of the investigation.
Cops took Hannon into custody on an unrelated felony warrant. Meanwhile, investigators searched the area where the deputy found the stroller. They located clothing belonging to Hannon and the baby, but not the child. They were able to search the area more thoroughly after daybreak on Monday.
“Sadly, at approximately 10 a.m. the search team found the partially buried body of the 11-month-old baby,” the sheriff said.
A medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide, although Ferrari did not divulge the cause of death. Deputies declined to release the baby’s name. They are still investigating a motive and what led up to the baby’s death.
“There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children. You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child,” Ferrari said.
Hannon is in the San Juan County Adult Detention Center without bond. It’s unclear when he will next appear in court.