Parents allegedly fatally abused child, but mom said injuries were from ‘rough play with a sibling’

CLOVIS, N.M. (TCN) — A mother and father stand accused of fatally abusing their 1-year-old child, who died late last year.

On Nov. 27, 2024, the Clovis Police Department received information that 1-year-old Calian Skywater had been transported to Plains Regional Medical Center and pronounced deceased. Detectives observed “extensive bruises on the child’s head, face, and arms.”

The boy’s mother, 22-year-old Donna Phillips, reportedly claimed the child sustained injuries from “rough play with a sibling and a fall from a high chair.”

A pathologist determined Calian Skywater had bruising on 70% to 80% of his body, and there was trauma to his head.

Investigators interviewed the victim’s parents, Phillips and 33-year-old Onesimus Skywater, and executed search warrants at their home.

Authorities received a final autopsy report in April, which revealed the boy suffered major blunt trauma to his head and other physical injuries. Officials learned in September that Calian Skywater’s “body showed multiple injuries that did not correspond with the statements provided by his parents.”

According to police, the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Division took Calian Skywater and his siblings at the time of his birth in November 2023. The children were reportedly in foster care and then returned to Phillips in October 2024.

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

The victim’s siblings are in the custody of a foster family.

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