LUNA COUNTY, New Mex. (Honk News) – Two parents are charged with child abuse after eight children were discovered living in “filthy conditions” in Luna County last month, according to the Deming District Attorney’s Office.
Melvin and Valerie Cordell were arrested on Friday, February 21, when New Mexico State Police detectives discovered the eight children living in “deplorable conditions” in the 200 block of Opatah Road in Luna County.
Valerie Cordell, 41, has been charged with 16 charges of child abuse and one count of conspiracy to conduct child abuse. Melvin Cordell, age 50, was charged with 16 charges of child abuse, two counts of criminal sexual penetration, one offense of illegal sexual contact with a minor, and one count of conspiracy to commit child abuse.
Valerie Cordell was held without bail on Monday, March 3, while Melvin Cordell was held without bond on Monday, March 10.
Authorities were first notified in October 2024 of a youngster who had reportedly been sexually raped over the course of four years. During the inquiry, investigators discovered that all eight children lived in “filthy” conditions, according to the Deming District Attorney’s Office.
“Investigating officers described it as an inhumane, squalid scene. A dilapidated trailer, several unlivable camping trailers, broken-down vehicles, boxes of rotting food, bags of trash, along with buckets located all around the property filled with human feces. The children were found in filthy conditions. They lived outside, year-round, sleeping on a mattress in a semi-underground cave, with tunnels from four to six feet in length or took shelter in the broken-down vehicles,” the District Attorney’s Office said.
