New Mexico teens, Alexis Shields, Desiree Linares kill foster mom, Evelyn Miranda, then flee: cops

Two New Mexico teens are facing life behind bars after they allegedly smothered their foster mom to death in what appears to be cold-blooded murder.

Alexis Shields and Desiree Linares, both 15, pled not guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping, auto theft and conspiracy charges on
Friday.

Their foster mother, Evelyn Miranda, 53, was found tied up and dead early Wednesday moing at her house in San Patricio, police said.

Linares had been staying with Miranda - who was specially trained to take in troubled youths-for only two days, while Shields had been in the victim's home for less than three weeks.

Authorities believe one of the teens held the victim in a choke hold while the other tied the woman's hands and feet with phone and
electrical cords, according to KRQE.

The home where the alleged murder took place. (KOAT)

They then allegedly smothered the woman with a pillow and fled with the victim's laptop, cell phone and van.

The girls were caught 12 hours later at a Carlsbad home, about 120 miles away. They could be tried as adults.

Friends and neighbors described Miranda to the Albuquerque Joual as a loving, generous woman with two grown children. She had been taking in foster children for years.

"Everybody's still in shock," said her friend Sandra Romero. "She always had a smile, always care for anybody and everybody."