Albuquerque man pleads no contest in toddler’s death, faces five years

An Albuquerque man pleaded no contest Friday to charges stemming from the death of a three-year-old girl more than two years ago. James Welch faces up to five years in prison after entering the plea to three counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence.

The toddler was brought to University of New Mexico Hospital, where staff determined she was already dead on arrival and observed evidence of abuse, including signs she had been tied up, according to police.

Police said Kerri Santos brought the child to the hospital, claiming she had fallen and hurt herself. Santos and three others were staying at Welch’s home when the abuse took place, police said.