Suspect in September Holy Cross Hospital incident in custody

The man wanted for allegedly assaulting his wife, newborn child and a health care worker at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos earlier this year was arrested in Rio Arriba County.

The arrest fulfills a warrant that was issued for Rafael Orozco, 22, following the Sept. 21 incident.

Orozco had reportedly entered Holy Cross Hospital during the early morning hours and "struck his wife who had just given birth and also struck the child," said Taos Police Chief Randall Parmer in a previous statement.

The woman who was allegedly struck has also been described as Orozco's girlfriend.

A police report provided further detail that Orozco had become angry when his wife began breastfeeding in the presence of a male doctor, and proceeded to "punch [her] in the mouth and slap his newborn baby."

When confronted by Holy Cross personnel, police said Orozco attempted to flee the hospital and was restrained by a security officer. That's when law enforcement said Orozco "reached to his side" and told the security officer that he had a gun. The suspect was let go and fled the hospital, touching off a lockdown at Holy Cross and a months-long search for the suspect.

Further details surrounding Orozco's arrest this week are still unknown. However, Sgt. Jason Rael of the Taos County Sheriff's Department confirmed that members of his department transported Orozco to the Taos County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond. Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe confirmed to The Taos News that Orozco was arrested by sheriff deputies in Rio Arriba County.

In addition, an arraignment was held Dec. 12 before Taos Magistrate Court Chief Judge Ernest Ortega. Orozco was read a list of charges at the arraignment that included child abuse, a third-degree felony; battery upon a health care worker, a fourth-degree felony; and battery against a household member, a misdemeanor.

A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22 in Taos County Magistrate Court.