Staff Reports
Mariah Chapo, 27, of Gallup, was sentenced to a five-year term of probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for drunkenly rolling her vehicle and killing an 8-month-old boy who was ejected from the vehicle.
According to court document, on Feb. 11, 2022, Chapo, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, two friends, and the 8-month-old baby traveled to collect firewood. When they arrived, the group reportedly began drinking alcohol. During this time, the child was unrestrained in the back seat.
An argument between the other two members of the group caused Chapo to drive off at high speed with the child. A mile down the road, Chapo failed to navigate a turn and rolled the vehicle. The child was ejected from the backseat and killed.
Chapo’s BAC was reportedly 0.12 and 0.11, and an empty vodka bottle was found at the scene.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case.
