John Hannon, 43, of New Mexico, is accused of killing his 11‑month‑old son, John “JJ” Teigue Hannon, by burying him alive or shortly after fatally injuring him, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say the infant died from a skull fracture and had dirt in his airway, indicating he was breathing when he was buried. Hannon is charged with child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence and is being held without bond.
What investigators say happened
- Surveillance footage near Flora Vista in the Four Corners area showed Hannon pushing a stroller on February 7, 2026. The next day, a discarded stroller and later the baby’s clothing were found along a trail, while the mother reported that Hannon had taken JJ and a 4‑year‑old to a Dollar General but returned only with the older child.
- After Hannon gave conflicting stories about his son’s whereabouts, deputies searched the area and found the partially buried body of JJ around 10 a.m. on February 9. A medical examiner ruled the death a homicide; the exact motive and sequence of events are still under investigation.
Hannon’s interview and statements
In a recorded interview with detectives, Hannon admitted to burying his son and said, “I knew he was dead.” He denied “technically” hitting JJ when shown a photo of his body, but refused to explain how the infant was injured, saying his son “didn’t fall” and he “didn’t throw him.” He later said he “made a mistake” and claimed his love for his children had “changed,” even though he once loved them.
Ongoing case and community response
Sheriff Shane Ferrari called the killing “one of the most evil” types of crime, vowing that authorities will pursue full justice for JJ. Hannon remains jailed in the San Juan County Adult Detention Center, with no bond set and no clear date yet for his next court appearance. The case has drawn intense local and national attention as an especially brutal example of child abuse and filicide.
