Trial begins for woman in her daughter's death

Testimony began Monday in the trial of a woman charged in the death of her 6-month-old daughter who prosecutors said died of exposure to toxic levels of methamphetamine.

Gloria Tesillo, 31, faces a charge of child abuse resulting in death in the girl’s 2023 death in an Albuquerque motel room.

The girl, Keeley Gabaldon, was found dead at a Days Inn motel near Interstate 40 and Coors NW in a room that prosecutors described as a “drug house” operated by Tesillo and the girl’s father.

Investigators found an open container of baby formula “right next to a gallon jug of bleach in a room in which narcotics are being consumed regularly,” prosecutor Stephen Lane told jurors.

An autopsy found toxic levels of methamphetamine in Keeley’s system but no other signs of physical abuse, Lane said.

Keeley also had a twin sister who was living in the motel room, Lane said. The state Children, Youth & Families Department took custody of the sister, he said.

Tesillo faces a second count of child abuse in connection with the second child.

The 2nd Judicial District Court trial is scheduled through Friday before Judge Cindy Leos.

Albuquerque police who responded to the girl’s death on July 16, 2023, found drugs and drug paraphernalia and a strong odor of burnt narcotics throughout the motel room, according to a criminal complaint.

Police also found burnt foil, a scale, Suboxone strips, a white powdery substance and prescription pills in the room, the complaint said.

The bathtub was filled with trash and between the toilet and the bathtub was a pile of burnt aluminum foil squares and straws used to smoke fentanyl, it said.

Tesillo’s attorney, Stefanie Gulley, told jurors that “there are two people involved here,” referring to the girl’s father, Lawrence Gabaldon, 31.

“You are going to hear that (Gabaldon) was with the children at the time” of Keeley’s death, Gulley said in opening statements.

Tesillo worked at the Days Inn where she lived and was working at the time her daughter died, she said.

Gabaldon “alerts Gloria (Tesillo) that there is something wrong and then he will conveniently disappear,” Gulley said. Gabaldon was wanted on federal warrants at the time, she said.

State District Court records show that Gabaldon has not been charged in connection to his daughter’s death.

Second Judicial District Attorney spokeswoman Nancy Laflin said Monday that a warrant has been issued for Gabaldon’s arrest.