Police charge New Mexico man with child abuse after twin toddlers left in car 4 hours

A New Mexico man refused to leave a nightclub because he was dancing with strangers, leaving his twin toddlers locked inside a parked car on a hot night, police say. Stephan Natseway, 38, faces two counts of child abuse after officers found the children, ages 2, screaming and distressed inside the vehicle outside the club in Rio Rancho on Saturday morning. Officers responded to a call about a child locked in a car around 1:30 a.m. and found Natseway still inside the nightclub when they arrived.

Temperatures in Rio Rancho that night were in the mid-70s, but car interiors can heat up quickly even in mild weather, posing serious risks to young children. Police said Natseway told them he couldn’t leave because “people were dancing with him,” suggesting he was deeply engaged in the social setting at the time. The twins were discovered still buckled into their car seats, crying and appearing dehydrated, according to police reports. Officers said the vehicle was locked and the air conditioning was off.

Rio Rancho police arrested Natseway at the scene and charged him with two counts of child abuse. He was booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center and is being held on $10,000 bond. The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department has also opened an investigation into the welfare of the children, who were taken into protective custody by family members after being released from medical evaluation.

The case raises concerns about parental judgment and the dangers of leaving young children unattended in vehicles. Police and child safety advocates warn that even short periods in a locked car can lead to heatstroke or severe distress. Natseway’s behavior—prioritizing social activity over his children’s safety—highlights a disturbing trend in some child neglect cases, where parents underestimate risk or become distracted. Prosecutors are reviewing the charges, and the children remain in temporary care while the investigation continues. If convicted, Natseway could face significant penalties, including jail time and loss of custody.