A Las Cruces woman and her mother, suspected of knowingly allowing a teenage runaway to reside in their home for several months, have been charged with felony counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Crystal J. Buster, 49, and 68-year-old Kim Renee Stevenson have been arrested. Buster faces two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of child abuse. Stevenson is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.
In July 2025, Las Cruces police received a report of a 15-year-old boy who ran away from his home and his whereabouts were unknown. Police exhausted several leads and posted his missing status on social media but were unable to locate him for more than one year.
Police learned that Buster and Stevenson knew the boy was a runaway. Police also determined the missing juvenile was not attending school during the time.
Investigators then learned that the missing juvenile may be associated with Buster’s 15-year-old daughter. Police interviewed Buster, Stevenson and the girl but they claimed to have no knowledge of the boy’s whereabouts and hadn’t seen him in several months.
Police learned the boy may be living with the girl in Buster’s and Stevenson’s home. Additional investigative work uncovered strong evidence that the boy was, indeed, residing at Buster’s and Stevenson’s residence.
On Sept. 11, 2026, police executed a search warrant at the home where they located the boy hiding in a closet. He was taken into custody and issued a Class III Juvenile Citation. Buster and Stevenson were also taken into custody that day and subsequently arrested on the charges.
After further investigation, Buster’s adult daughter, 21, and her 19-year-old boyfriend, both of whom also reside in the family home, were each charged with two misdemeanor counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.
Las Cruces police wish to remind residents that it is illegal to intentionally harbor a runaway or missing juvenile. Anyone who suspects or knows of someone harboring a runaway is asked to call police at (575) 526-0795.
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