A New Mexico woman, Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement after attempting to frame her teenage son, Angelo Baldonado, for a killing she committed.
Ortiz-Chavez, 49, orchestrated a violent altercation between her then-16-year-old son and another teenager, Josue Ruiz, following claims by her pregnant daughter that Ruiz, her boyfriend, had physically abused her. The confrontation in March 2022 ended with Ruiz being fatally shot, and Baldonado was initially charged as an adult with murder.
The case took a dramatic turn a year later when Baldonado’s brother revealed critical information during a Facebook conversation with a woman, who later reported it to the police. According to the brother, Ortiz-Chavez was responsible for the shooting, as she had accompanied Baldonado to confront Ruiz. When Ruiz allegedly tried to draw a gun, Ortiz-Chavez shot him before Baldonado could act. Despite this, detectives charged Baldonado with the murder, and he chose not to implicate his mother.
The brother expressed anger and frustration over the situation, particularly with Ortiz-Chavez’s actions. He criticized her for allowing Baldonado to be incarcerated for a crime she committed, labeling her selfish and manipulative. In his messages, he lamented the impact on Baldonado’s life, including his inability to raise his daughter, who would grow up without knowing him.
Prosecutors revealed that Ortiz-Chavez had planned for Baldonado to take the blame, believing that as a minor, he would receive a lighter sentence. This strategy backfired when her role in the crime came to light. While Baldonado’s murder charge was dropped, he was convicted on lesser charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder, resulting in a four-year prison sentence.
Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez now faces up to 18 years in prison for her role in the crime. Her sentencing date has yet to be determined. The case highlights the devastating consequences of her actions, not only for the victim’s family but also for her own family, whom she manipulated and betrayed.