The Meth-Fueled Attack by Beau and Monique Maestas

On January 21, 2003, a horrible crime happened that shocked a small community and left lasting scars. Two siblings, 19-year-old Beau Maestas and his 16-year-old sister Monique Maestas, attacked two young children after being sold salt instead of the drug meth. The children, just 10 and 3 years old, were the kids of the drug dealers. The 10-year-old was killed, and the 3-year-old was left unable to walk after the attack. This heartbreaking story is one we’ll never forget, and here at Phacts, we’re going to tell you all about it as much as we know.

What Led to the Attack?

Beau and Monique Maestas were young, but they were already deep into a dangerous world of drugs. On that January day in 2003, they thought they were buying methamphetamine, also called meth, from a couple who sold drugs. Meth is a very harmful drug that can make people act in violent ways. But instead of getting meth, the dealers tricked them and gave them salt. When Beau and Monique figured out they’d been cheated, they got furious.

The siblings decided to go to the dealers’ house to confront them. The dealers lived in a small home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with their two young daughters, 10-year-old Ashley and 3-year-old Mary Jane. When Beau and Monique got there, the parents weren’t home. But the two little girls were, and they answered the door, not knowing the danger they were in.

A Brutal Attack on Innocent Kids

What happened next is so sad it’s hard to even think about. Beau and Monique were so angry about being cheated that they took it out on the children. They attacked the girls with a knife. The 10-year-old, Ashley, was stabbed in the head, and the wound was so bad that she didn’t survive. The 3-year-old, Mary Jane, was also stabbed, and the knife cut her spinal cord, which is the part of the body that helps you move. Because of this, Mary Jane couldn’t walk anymore and would need a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

It’s hard to imagine how scared those little girls must have been. They didn’t do anything wrong—they were just kids at home, and they became the victims of someone else’s anger and bad choices. The attack was so cruel that it left the whole community in shock.

The Arrest and Court Case

The police caught Beau and Monique Maestas soon after the attack. Both were arrested and charged with serious crimes, including murder for Ashley’s death and attempted murder for what they did to Mary Jane. Because Beau was 19, he was tried as an adult, and Monique, who was 16, was also charged as an adult because of how terrible the crime was.

During the trial, the court heard all the details of what happened. The siblings admitted they were upset about being sold salt instead of meth, but that didn’t excuse what they did to the children. The judge and jury were horrified by the crime. Beau was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the chance of ever getting out. Monique was also found guilty and got a long prison sentence, though she might have a chance to get out after many years because she was younger at the time of the crime.

The Lasting Impact on the Family

The family of Ashley and Mary Jane was left heartbroken. Ashley’s life was taken away at just 10 years old, and her parents would never get to see her grow up, go to school, or chase her dreams. Mary Jane, who survived, had to face a whole new life. Being paralyzed meant she couldn’t run or play like other kids her age. She would need a wheelchair and a lot of medical care for the rest of her life. The girls’ parents also had to live with the guilt of knowing their choices as drug dealers brought this danger into their home.

Mary Jane’s story didn’t end with the attack, though. As she grew up, she showed incredible strength. Despite her injuries, she learned to live with her disability and even started playing wheelchair sports, like tennis. Her courage is a bright spot in this dark story, but it doesn’t erase the pain of what happened to her and her sister.

Why Did This Happen?

At Phacts, we always try to understand why things like this happen. Beau and Monique were young, but they were already using drugs like meth, which can mess up your mind and make you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Meth can make people angry, unreasonable, and violent. When they found out they were cheated, that anger took over, and they made a terrible choice to hurt innocent kids.

But drugs aren’t the only reason this happened. The siblings grew up in a tough environment where they were around bad influences. They didn’t have the support or guidance to make better choices. And the drug dealers—the girls’ parents—also played a role by bringing dangerous people into their kids’ lives. It’s a sad reminder of how drugs can destroy not just the people using them, but everyone around them, especially kids who can’t protect themselves.

A Lesson for All of Us

This story teaches us some really important lessons. First, drugs like meth are incredibly dangerous. They don’t just hurt the person using them—they can lead to violence that hurts others, like Ashley and Mary Jane. If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs, it’s so important to get help before things get out of control.

Second, this shows how kids can get caught in the middle of adult problems. Ashley and Mary Jane didn’t do anything wrong, but they paid the price for the choices of the grown-ups around them. It’s a reminder to keep kids safe and away from dangerous situations.

Finally, we can learn from Mary Jane’s strength. Even after something so awful happened to her, she didn’t give up. She found ways to live her life and even inspire others. Her story shows that even in the darkest times, there can be hope.

A Similar But Different Story

While the brutal crime committed by Beau and Monique Maestas against two innocent children remains one of the most disturbing home invasion attacks, there are also stories of incredible bravery in the face of such violence. In 2008, 9-year-old Nathan Thomson fought off an armed intruder to protect his mother, suffering a knife wound to the face in the process. His courage saved her life and earned him a bravery award recommendation. Read more about Nathan’s heroic act here.

Let’s Talk About It!

This story is so sad, but it’s important to share so we can learn from it. What do you think about what happened to Ashley and Mary Jane? Do you think there’s a way to stop things like this from happening again? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below, and while you’re here, check out more true stories on our website, phactsblog.com. At Phacts, we’re all about sharing real facts and stories that make you think. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends—it’s a story everyone should know about!

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