Through investigation, officers gained information on Destinee Sweeney and the child’s possible location at a house on County Road 4029 in the Middle Mesa area of Navajo Lake. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputies, NMSP, and FPD officers responded to the area. Working together, they were able to locate Ava Spicer safely and arrest Sweeney around 2:19 a.m. Sweeney was charged with kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.
From Farmington Police:
Thursday, February 4, 2021
On February 3, 2021, around 6:30 p.m. Destinee Sweeney and her girlfriend had a verbal altercation in the Walmart parking lot on E. Main St., resulting in her partner walking away from the vehicle for a few minutes. Sweeney drove away with her girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter, Ava Spicer. After attempting to persuade Sweeney to return the child for some time, Spicer’s mother contacted Farmington police at approximately 8:17 p.m. Officers obtained information on the child, Sweeney, and the vehicle they were last seen in and issued an attempt to locate. After Sweeney made statements threatening the child’s safety, New Mexico State Police issued an Amber Alert. Through investigation, officers gained information on Sweeney and the child’s possible location at a house on County Road 4029 in the Middle Mesa area of Navajo Lake. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputies, NMSP, and FPD officers responded to the area. Working together, they were able to locate Ava Spicer safely and arrest Sweeney around 2:19 a.m. Sweeney was charged with kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.
Farmington Police Department thanks SJCSO, NMSP, La Plata County Colorado Sheriff’s Office, and Southern Ute Police Department for their assistance in bringing this incident to a peaceful resolution.
“Nathan’s expertise in the museum industry, combined with his global perspective and passion for community engagement, make him a tremendous asset to Farmington,” said Christa Chapman, Director of Cultural Affairs. “We’re excited to see how his leadership will shape the future of the Farmington Museum System.”
While the child caught measles outside San Juan County, people may have been exposed to this latest case of measles at the following locations, days and times:
San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 West Maple Street in Farmington on the following days and times:
Monday, May 26 from 10:30 p.m. - Tuesday, May 27 at 4:15 a.m.
Wednesday, May 28 from 2 - 4 p.m.
San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 South Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington:
Friday, May 30 from 8:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Officer Ontiveros has been with the Bloomfield Police Department since December 2024 and previously worked for the Farmington Police Department. Additionally, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Aztec Fire Department since 2017.
Bloomfield Police Department officers were conducting a traffic stop when the subject shot at an officer, striking the officer, and an officer’s weapon was also discharged.
Tragically, the subject has died as a result of the incident. Their identity will be released by the Office of the Medical Investigator once next of kin have been notified.
According to initial witness statements, the male subject was in the passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by a female. Witnesses reported that the vehicle moved toward law enforcement officers while the male subject attempted to climb into the driver’s seat.
Shots were fired by U.S. Marshals during the incident. Both the male subject and the female driver were pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured.