The tragic death of a 1-year-old baby boy in Clovis, New Mexico, has led to the arrest of both his parents, who now face serious charges of child abuse resulting in death. Authorities allege that the boy, Calian Skywater, died from severe physical abuse, despite his mother’s claims that his injuries were from accidents at home.
This heartbreaking case has sent shockwaves through the community and raised important questions about child safety, the foster care system, and how early signs of abuse can sometimes go unnoticed or unaddressed.
Parents Charged After Months-Long Investigation
After nearly a year of investigation, Onesimus Skywater, 33, and Donna Phillips, 22, were arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death. Both are being held without bond at the Curry County Detention Center, according to official jail records.
The Clovis Police Department announced the charges in a press release, detailing a series of troubling findings that contradict the parents’ original explanations for their son’s injuries.
What Happened to Baby Calian?
On November 2024, 12-month-old Calian was brought to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, near the New Mexico–Texas border. Despite the hospital’s efforts, the baby was pronounced dead, and due to visible injuries, the police were immediately notified.
Medical staff and police noted “extensive bruising” on Calian’s face, head, and arms. According to the original story provided by the mother, the bruises were caused by “rough play with a sibling” and a fall from a high chair.
Phillips also claimed that Calian had fallen three days earlier and that she had taken him to see his pediatrician. However, investigators soon discovered that the explanation did not match the child’s physical condition.
Autopsy Reveals Signs of Severe Abuse
An initial autopsy conducted by the state’s Office of the Medical Investigator showed that Calian’s body was covered in bruises across 70–80% of his body. The report also found trauma to the head, which couldn’t have resulted from simple falls or sibling play.
The final autopsy in April 2025 listed the cause of death as “undetermined”, but it confirmed that Calian had suffered major blunt-force trauma to his head, along with multiple other injuries.
In September, a child abuse pediatrician reviewed the case and gave a clear conclusion:
“The totality of the findings present are diagnostic of fatal physical abuse inflicted upon Calian.”
This expert review finally led law enforcement to arrest both parents on September 11, 2025.
Troubling Foster Care History
What makes the case even more heartbreaking is the background. When Calian was born, he and his siblings were placed into foster care by New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Division (CYFD). The children were only returned to their mother, Donna Phillips, in October 2024, just weeks before Calian’s death.
The other children are now back in foster care, and the investigation into the full family situation is ongoing.
Community Shocked and Seeking Answers
The case has devastated many in the Clovis community. The idea that a baby who had just been reunited with his parents could suffer this fate has led to calls for tighter child protection measures and more thorough evaluations before family reunifications.
There are also concerns about whether the warning signs were missed or ignored — and if Calian’s death could have been prevented.
The death of Calian Skywater is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of young children and the responsibility of both families and state systems to protect them. As the case moves through the legal system, many are left asking: how could this have happened just weeks after the baby was returned to his parents’ care?
While justice for Calian is now underway, the focus must also shift to reform and accountability, to ensure that no other child faces a similar fate in the future.
