Woman Pleads Guilty to Assault on San Felipe Pueblo Infant

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Salina Nicole Sandoval, 30, of San Felipe, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury of an 8-month-old infant, also a member of the San Felipe Pueblo. Sandoval is out of custody on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, on Jan. 21, 2022, Sandoval assaulted the infant, identified as Jane Doe at Sandoval’s home in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the San Felipe Pueblo. It resulted in serious bodily injuries to the infant, including intracranial hemorrhages, shearing venous injuries, and retinal hemorrhages in the child’s left eye. The injuries were diagnosed as abusive head trauma.

At sentencing, Sandoval faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.

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