Portales man charged with child abuse, DWI

A 37-year-old Roosevelt County man has been arrested on accusations that he was driving while intoxicated with an unrestrained toddler in the back seat.

Manuel Gallegos is charged with child abuse and altering vehicle registration, both felonies, as well as a third offense of aggravated DWI, not maintaining lanes, driving on a suspended or revoked license, not having insurance and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, all misdemeanors, said State Police Lt. Cleo Baker.

According to Baker:

• Gallegos was stopped about 2:05 a.m. Wednesday for making a wide turn at Main and Fir streets in Portales.

• After Gallegos stopped, he began to walk away from the vehicle.

• The officer stopped him and noticed signs of intoxication. Gallegos failed field sobriety tests.

• Gallegos resisted arrest.

• A 2-year-old girl, the daughter of Gallegos’ 29-year-old female passenger, was unrestrained in the back seat.

• According to Roosevelt County Detention Center on Friday afternoon, Gallegos remained in jail in lieu of a $14,000 cash or surety bond and a $25,000 cash-only bond.