A Flora Vista man with a recent history of domestic violence convictions and probation violations is now accused of killing his 11‑month‑old son, whose partially buried body was found in a ditch two days after he was reported missing.
John Hannon, 43, was charged Wednesday with first-degree felony child abuse resulting in death and second-degree tampering with evidence.
The charges are in connection to the death of his son, John Teigue Hannon, who went missing Feb. 7 from a home on County Road 3450 in Flora Vista ‒ between Aztec and Farmington ‒ while in his father’s care.
Hannon’s criminal history shows a pattern of escalating violence.
He faced multiple domestic‑related criminal charges in 2024, for which he received 84 days in jail and was discharged from probation unsatisfactorily, according to court records.
The child’s mother filed for a domestic violence order of protection for herself and her children, which ultimately was denied. Jake Thompson, spokesman for the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, confirmed that his agency has “a history of involvement with this family.”
“This is another example of New Mexico’s failed criminal justice system,” San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari told the Tri‑City Record as he drove to Santa Fe to testify before the Legislature on crime‑related bills.
Ferrari’s detectives began investigating after the child’s mother, Krystal Phillips, called in a missing child report at 9:38 p.m. Feb. 8 from a home on County Road 3450 in Flora Vista.
Phillips told investigators she “feared something bad had happened to her son,” because on Feb. 7, Hannon took the infant on a walk and then claimed he left the boy in the care of a grandparent who lives in Colorado, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Phillips asked Hannon to call his mother to provide proof of the child’s location, but he allegedly refused, the affidavit says.
While investigating, deputies learned that on Feb. 7 Hannon had walked through a property off New Mexico 516 while pushing a stroller, which was found in a ditch, the affidavit says.
Deputies continued to search the area Feb. 9 and found the 11‑month‑old’s head and left arm buried in dirt, while his torso and legs were visible. Hannon’s shoe prints were found in the same location, the affidavit says.
A doctor who examined the body told sheriff’s detectives the infant suffered a skull fracture and an abrasion on his forehead before death. The child likely was alive when his father allegedly buried his face in the dirt, the affidavit says.
Hannon reportedly admitted to burying the child, saying, “I knew he was dead,” according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Further questioning allegedly led Hannon to say he “made a mistake,” and that “at one point in time I did love my kids,” but he reportedly admitted he “changed,” the affidavit states.
“There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children,” Ferrari said in a prepared statement. “You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child,”
“I want to thank our deputies, our detectives for the long hours worked and your dedication to this case,” he added. “Many will never understand the toll this takes on your hearts and minds.”
Hannon also has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence, both fourth‑degree felonies, as well as misdemeanor DWI in connection with a Jan. 31 motor vehicle crash.
It was alleged that Hannon was driving under the influence of drugs when he T‑boned another vehicle at the intersection of Pinon Hills Boulevard and East Main Street. Then, he allegedly attempted to plant a bag of meth in the car he struck, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Timeline details pattern of escalating violence before infant’s death
Court records and law enforcement reports outline more than a year of escalating violence, arrests and probation violations involving Christopher Hannon, culminating in the February 2025 death of his 11‑month‑old son, John Teigue Hannon.
2024: Prior domestic violence and criminal history
Sept. 4, 2024
• Hannon was charged with child abuse for striking Phillips’ 15‑year‑old son in the eye with a closed fist.
• He was also accused was also accused of pushing Krystal Phillips.
Sept. 11, 2024
• He pleaded no contest no contest to battery.
• He was sentenced to 181 days 181 days of probation.
Sept. 15, 2024
• Police responded to Hannon’s home.
• He reportedly possessed reportedly had drug paraphernalia.
Sept. 18, 2024
• Police returned for reports of yelling and cussing.
• He was charged with false imprisonment false imprisonment, resisting arrest, concealing identity and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oct. 9, 2024
• He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and possession of paraphernalia drug paraphernalia.
• He was sentenced to 364 days 364 days of supervised probation.
Oct. 15, 2024
• Police responded to another alleged domestic violence incident at the home.
Oct. 18, 2024
• Police returned for another domestic violence report.
• One child reported Phillips’ head was “slammed” into a baby crib.
• An aggravated battery charge was later was dismissed.
• Phillips filed a petition for an order of protection, alleging Hannon strangled her.
Oct. 29, 2024
• The order of protection was dismissed after Phillips did not appear in court.
2025: Probation and additional charges
Jan. 27, 2025
• Hannon discharged unsatisfactorily from probation was discharged from probation unsatisfactorily after serving 84 days in jail.
• His attorney argued he wanted to be present in his family’s life.
Jan. 31, 2025
• He was involved in an alleged DWI crash at Pinon Hills Boulevard and East Main Street.
• He was accused of driving under the influence of drugs and T‑boning another vehicle.
• He allegedly attempted to plant tried to plant a bag of meth in the other vehicle.
• He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence, both fourth‑degree felonies, and misdemeanor DWI.
February 2025: Infant’s disappearance and death
Feb. 7, 2025
• Hannon reportedly took his 11‑month‑old son, John Teigue Hannon, on a walk.
• He claimed he left the child with a grandparent in Colorado.
• Deputies later learned Hannon was seen walking on property off NM 516 pushing a stroller.
Feb. 8, 2025: 9:38 p.m.
• At 9:38 p.m., Krystal Phillips reported the child missing from a home on County Road 3450 in Flora Vista.
• She told investigators she feared something bad had happened.
• Hannon allegedly refused to call his mother to verify the child’s location.
Feb. 9, 2025
• Deputies searched an area off New Mexico 516.
• They found the infant partially buried in a ditch.
• Hannon’s shoe prints were located at the scene.
Medical findings
• The infant had a skull fracture and a forehead abrasion.
• A doctor indicated the child was likely alive when his face was buried in dirt.
Feb. 11, 2025
• Hannon was charged with first‑degree felony child abuse resulting in death and second‑degree tampering with evidence.
• He reportedly admitted to burying the child, stating, “I knew he was dead.”
• He later said he “made a mistake” and admitted he had “changed.”
Hannon was first charged with domestic abuse in 2024. He was charged with child abuse Sept. 4, 2024, for reportedly striking Phillips’ 15‑year‑old son in the eye with a closed fist. He also pushed Phillips, the affidavit states.
Hannon pleaded no contest to battery on Sept. 11, 2024, and was sentenced to 181 days of probation.
Four days later, on Sept. 15, 2024, Farmington police responded to another call at Hannon’s home, and he reportedly possessed drug paraphernalia. Police were called back three days later, on Sept. 18, for reports of “yelling and cussing” coming from the home, the affidavit states.
Hannon was charged with false imprisonment, resisting arrest, concealing his identity and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty Oct. 9 to charges of resisting and possession. He was sentenced to 364 days of supervised probation.
Six days later, on Oct. 15, 2024, Farmington police were called to Hannon’s home in response to another alleged domestic violence incident.
Police returned Oct. 18, 2024, for another domestic violence incident, in which one of Phillips’ children told officers that his mother’s head was “slammed” into the baby crib. The charge of aggravated battery in this case was dismissed, according to court records.
That same day, Phillips filed a petition for an order of protection against Hannon for herself and her children. In it she stated that Hannon choked her.
The order was dismissed Oct. 29, 2024, by Domestic Violence Commissioner Brenna Clani‑Washinawatok because Phillips did not appear in court.
Hannon ultimately spent 84 days in jail and received an unsatisfactory discharge from probation Jan. 27, 2025, after his attorney Evan Ferguson argued that Hannon “had a desire to be present in his families’ lives,” court records state.
San Juan County Deputy District Attorney Brian Decker said his office will file a pretrial detention motion to keep Hannon behind bars while he awaits trial.
