Maylene John, Murder, New Mexico 2024

A 32-year-old Shiprock woman has been charged with murder in Indian Country after allegedly stabbing her child in the chest.

Maylene John, 32, of Shiprock, New Mexico, faces up to life in prison if convicted of the alleged crime, which was committed on the Navajo Nation.

According to the FBI, John allegedly stabbed her child, identified as Jane Doe, in the chest during the early morning hours of October 24. Another family member heard the child scream for help and rushed to John's bedroom, where they found Jane Doe lying on the floor with a stab wound to the torso.

The family member provided a blanket to Jane Doe to apply pressure to the wound, but John allegedly put the knife to her neck. The family member forced her to drop the knife and threw it out of the room.

The family member then went to a neighbor's house for help, and the neighbor called the authorities.

When Navajo Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived, John was taken into custody while EMS attempted to revive Jane Doe. At 3:42 am, Jane Doe was declared dead.

The alleged murder was committed on the Navajo Nation, and Jane Doe was an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/shiprock-woman-charged-murder-indian-country