An Española man has pleaded guilty in the beating death of his 5-year-old stepdaughter.
Local media outlets report Malcolm Torres entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder Monday in the killing of Renezmae Calzada.
In a statement from U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, 29-year-old Torres was home in September 2019 with the girl and his 18-month-old son and was heavily intoxicated.
GOP HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY ATTENDS SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO RALLY FOR FORMER REP. YVETTE HERRELL
Her mother reported her missing. The girl's body was found three days later on Santa Clara Pueblo in the Rio Grande, a mile from the Española yard where she was last seen.
Torres faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison, according to his plea agreement filed in federal court.
He initially rejected a plea agreement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque.
A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.
