1-year-old dies from parental abuse; mother claims ‘rough play’ for injuries, deputies say

CLOVIS, N.M. (KFDA/Gray News) - A mother and a father in New Mexico are facing child abuse charges after the death of their young son.

According to the Clovis Police Department, a 1-year-old boy died from “intentional abuse” with his parents, Donna Phillips, 22, and Onesimus Skywater, 33, under arrest.

The police department said the case stems from November 2024, when 1-year-old Calian Skywater was taken to Plains Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead.

Officers responded to the hospital, where they noted extensive bruises on a child’s face, head and arms.

Police said Phillips stated Calian’s injuries were from “rough play” with a sibling and falling from a high chair.

During an autopsy, a pathologist said the boy had bruising on 70 to 80 percent of his body, while noting trauma to the child’s head.

Detectives interviewed the parents and executed a search warrant at their home.

In April of this year, investigators received the final autopsy. Authorities noted major blunt trauma on the child’s head and other physical injuries.

Investigators contacted a doctor who specialized in child abuse pediatrics, and the results of the doctor’s review became available on Sept. 8.

According to the doctor’s review, the boy’s body showed multiple injuries that did not correspond with statements from the parents. The doctor said their “totality of the findings present is diagnostic of fatal physical abuse inflicted upon Calian.

Phillips and Skywater were arrested and charged with intentional abuse of a child resulting in the boy’s death. They were booked into the Curry County Adult Detention Center.

Calian’s siblings are currently in the custody of a foster family in New Mexico.

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