8-year-old Clovis girl autopsied

CARLSBAD — An autopsy of an 8-year-old Carlsbad girl who was born in Clovis revealed more details about her death, allegedly at the hands of her father.

Juan Lerma of Carlsbad remains in the Eddy County Detention Center on charges he killed Samantha Rubino. He is scheduled to go on trial in April.

The autopsy report, acquired by KRQE, shows Samantha died of blunt head trauma and had numerous bruises on her body. The report said she may have died as long as 48 hours after those injuries occurred.

Samantha Rubino moved in with her father following the death of her mother, Jennifer Rubino of Clovis.

Her family’s estate in September filed a tort claim with Clovis, Curry County and state officials alleging possible wrongful death.

The tort claim provides notice of potential legal action against the public entities “based on the substandard care provided to Jennifer Rubino by staff and agents of the New Mexico Department of Health in or around April 2020.” The claim also alleges failure to follow proper procedure and protocol when Jennifer Rubino, 47, reported symptoms that were not considered as COVID risk factors sufficient to warrant admission to a medical facility.

City, county and state officials declined comment or said they were not clear why they had been included in the court action in September.