Show Low- A Show Low father is being held in the Navajo County jail, accused of shooting and killing his 13-month-old daughter, in front of the baby’s mother, authorities said. The father has pleaded ‘not guilty.’
On Feb. 3, Show Low police officers were notified about a 13-month-old baby girl who had been shot at a home on the 1700 block of West Merrill in Show Low.
Officers and first responders arrived at the home, but life-saving efforts were not successful.
The baby girl was pronounced dead an hour later at Summit Regional Medical Center.
Officers and detectives arrested and booked 27-year-old Adam Montoya of Show Low, the child’s father, with charges of murder in the 2nd degree and child abuse, the Show Low Police Department said.
According to the Navajo County Attorney’s Office, Montoya shot his daughter with an AR-15 rifle in front of the child’s mother, causing the loss of life.
On Feb. 11, the Navajo County Attorney’s Office announced Montoya has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
Feb. 18 Montoya pleaded not guilty.
Montoya requested a public defender on Feb. 18 and was given a public defender, Joseph Finch. However, on Feb. 21, Finch withdrew from Montoya’s case due to a conflict of interest.
The next court date is March 6 at 9 am in Division 1.