The Cordova man, who last month was acquitted of a felony child abuse charge for fatally shooting his toddler son, picked up his confiscated guns June 5 from State Police, according to Sgt. Chris Valdez.
Six guns were taken from Joel Montalvo’s home after he shot his 14-month-old son, Aiden Montalvo, May 1, 2008, with a semiautomatic assault rifle. He testified he was making sure the gun wasn’t loaded while preparing dinner for his children when he unconsciously loaded it and pulled the trigger as his son was walking by.
Police took that gun, two other rifles, two pistols and a handgun into custody after the shooting; three of the weapons were loaded and within reach of Aiden and his four older sisters, who are all elementary school age.
Montalvo, 27, was acquitted of the single charge of child abuse resulting in death after a three-day trial and released. There are no requirements for gun owners in New Mexico to have a gun license, Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Thwaits said.