Las Cruces mother, daughter charged after runaway teen found in closet
A Las Cruces mother and her daughter face felony charges after police said they knowingly let a teenage runaway live in their home for several months. The 15-year-old boy was found hiding in a closet when officers served a search warrant on Sept. 11, 2026.
Crystal J. Buster, 49, and Kim Renee Stevenson, 68, were arrested that day. Buster faces two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of child abuse. Stevenson faces one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.
Las Cruces police said they first received a report in July 2025 about the 15-year-old, who had run away from home. Investigators pursued multiple leads and posted information about the missing juvenile on social media, but were unable to locate him for more than a year.
During the investigation, police said they learned Buster and Stevenson knew the boy was a runaway. Investigators also determined the boy was not attending school during the period he was missing.
Police said they later learned the boy might be associated with Buster’s 15-year-old daughter. When investigators interviewed Buster, Stevenson and the girl, police said they denied knowing where the boy was and said they had not seen him in several months.
Further investigation led police to believe the boy could be living with the girl at Buster and Stevenson’s home. Investigators said additional evidence indicated the boy was, in fact, residing at the residence.
On Sept. 11, 2026, police executed a search warrant at the home and found the boy hiding in a closet, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. He was taken into custody and issued a juvenile citation.
Police said the investigation also resulted in charges against Buster’s 21-year-old adult daughter and her 19-year-old boyfriend, who both live in the family home. Each was charged with two misdemeanor counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.
According to police, intentionally harboring a runaway or missing juvenile is illegal. Anyone who suspects or knows that someone is harboring a runaway is asked to contact police at 575-526-0795.
