EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two parents are facing child abuse charges after seven children were found living in “filthy conditions” last month in Luna County, according to the Deming District Attorney’s Office.
Melvin Cordell and Valerie Cordell were arrested on Friday, Feb. 21, after New Mexico State Police investigators discovered the seven children living in “deplorable conditions” at the 200 block of Opatah Road in Luna County.
Valerie Cordell, 41, was charged with 16 counts of child abuse and one count of conspiracy to commit child abuse. Melvin Cordell, 50, was charged with 16 counts of child abuse, two counts of criminal sexual penetration, one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor, and one count of conspiracy to commit child abuse.
Valerie Cordell was held without bond on Monday, March 3 and Melvin Cordell was held without bond on Monday, March 10.
Authorities were originally alerted in October 2024 about a child who was allegedly sexually assaulted over the course of four years. During the investigation, authorities learned that all seven children were living 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.
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