A FATHER allegedly buried his baby alive then lied to the boy’s mother about his whereabouts.

John Hannon, 43, has been charged in connection with the death of the 11-month-old, police said.

John Hannon was charged with child abuse resulting in deathCredit: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
 

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He is facing multiple charges after allegedly killing his infant son by burying him aliveCredit: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
Hannon has been charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death.

The baby, named John Teigue “JJ”, was found partially buried off New Mexico 516 at 10am oevin February 9, with the death quickly ruled a homicide.

The baby’s head and left arm were buried. His skull was fractured and dirt was found in his airways, reports The Daily Mail, as per an autopsy.

The examining doctor reportedly believes that JJ was buried alive.

Left at the scene was the baby’s stroller. JJ’s footprint was also spotted nearby.

Dad said he took two children on walk

Hannon reportedly took his four-year-old and the baby, on a walk to Dollar General on February 7.

He returned with just the older child and told mom Krystal Phillips that his own mother, who lives in Colorado, was looking after the baby.

That same day, police were contacted by a person whose security cameras caught a man pushing a stroller in a remote area in a way that seemed suspicious, reports ABC 13 News.

John Hannon has been charged with intentional child abuse resulting in deathCredit: Facebook/John Hannon
 

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John Hannon, 43, has been charged in connection with the death of the 11-month-oldCredit: san juan county sheriff’s office
Officers from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office looked in the area but did not find anything suspicious – just the stroller seen in the video.

The next day, the mom, of Flora Vista, New Mexico, called police to say her 11-month-old baby was missing.

She said that the child was last seen with his dad, Hannon.

Phillips reportedly told police that she “feared something bad had happened to her son.”

She claimed she asked Hannon to call his mom to prove the child was there, but he refused.

Hannon was identified as the man spotted pushing the stroller in the remote area the day earlier.

He allegedly refused to leave his home. As a result, officers forced their way in.

Dad reportedly said he knew baby was dead

“When asked about the whereabouts of the baby, Hannon gave conflicting statements as to the location of the child,” Sheriff Shane Ferrari said.

Hannon was reportedly asked during a police interview if he had ever hurt JJ, which he denied, KOB4 reported.

He allegedly told cops that JJ was “hurt bad.”

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The search took place two days after the baby was last seenCredit: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
 

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Cops found the child’s body in a rural area near a strollerCredit: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
When police asked if he hit him, Hannon reportedly said: “No, not technically,” before adding he left JJ because he “knew he was dead.”

He then allegedly said he “made a mistake” and “at one point in time” he did love his children, but things had “changed”, reported The Durango Herald, as per an affidavit.

“We understand how deeply unsettling this is for our community,” said Sheriff Ferrari.

“We are working around the clock to gather evidence as to what and who was responsible for the death of this child. There is no threat to the public.”

“There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children,” Sheriff Ferrari added.

“You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child.”

The sheriff’s office added: “We are heartbroken over the loss of a young life in our community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this child.

“We are investigating this incident to our fullest capabilities and will relentlessly pursue justice.

“We ask that you respect the privacy of the family as they grieve this immense loss.”

Hannon has also been charged with possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, and a misdemeanor DWI in connection with a crash on January 31.

He was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs when he T‑boned another vehicle at the intersection of Pinon Hills Boulevard and East Main Street.

Hannon is accused of then attempting to plant a bag of meth in the car he hit, reports The Herald.

Series of domestic abuse claims and convictions

Hannon was first charged with domestic abuse in September 2024.

He punched Phillips’ 15-year-old son in the eye and then pushed Phillips.

He pleaded no contest to battery and was sentenced to 181 days of probation.

A month later, he pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrested.

He was sentenced to 364 days of supervised probation.

Police were called twice in October to more alleged domestic violence.

One of Phillips’ children told police that his mom’s head was “slammed” into the baby crib.

The charge of aggravated battery in this case was dismissed.

Phillips then filed a petition for an order of protection against Hannon for herself and her children.

She claimed Hannon choked her.

The order was dismissed because Phillips did not appear in court.

Hannon spent 84 days in jail and received an unsatisfactory discharge from probation in January 2025. His attorney argued that he wanted “to be present in his families’ lives.”

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Police searched the area for the child and any evidenceCredit: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office