New Mexico Attorney General launches investigation into CYFD

Yahoo

23-04-2025

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Condemning the governor and her New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department's secretaries, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced on Tuesday he is launching an investigation into CYFD. He said the agency won't be up front about incidents that have left children under state supervision injured or dead.
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The attorney general said he launched the investigation after a teen killed himself while in state custody, but his investigation doesn't stop there.
'His death is, I think, for me, a turning point in terms of how we're going to address the failures at CYFD,' said Attorney General of New Mexico Raúl Torrez.
Torrez announced Tuesday that the New Mexico Department of Justice will be opening an investigation into the recent death of a 16-year-old boy Jaydun Garcia, who was living in a congregate facility overseen by CYFD. 'Sadly, he took his own life in a facility that we know is not in the best interest of traumatized, abused, and neglected children,' said Torrez.
Torrez shared frustration at the lack of information the agency releases to the public in cases like this. 'More needs to be done in terms of shining a light on what is happening inside that agency.'
He argued that confidentiality concerns do not justify the level of secrecy. 'There's a way to protect their privacy interests without shielding the misconduct,' added Torrez.
CYFD has been under scrutiny for children sleeping in offices as the state faces a lack of foster parents, where there have been reports of children being assaulted by workers and other residents.
For years, the agency has been plagued by high-profile cases of injuries and deaths involving children who were supposed to be under their supervision. The state paid out millions of dollars last year for the wrongful death of 4-year-old James Dunklee Cruz in 2019. Even after CYFD found the boy with a black eye, bruised genitals, and other injuries, a CYFD supervisor kept him in his mom's care. Two months later, James was beaten to death by a man they were living with.
In 2022, CYFD removed kids from a home in Texico where they were found to be chained to beds and in dog cages, but still the kids were placed back in the home and eventually removed again. Several women were arrested in that case.
The AG's office said his investigation will be wide-ranging and take a comprehensive look at the events leading to cases like these. 'I think we have all grown tired of waking up and hearing about another child who's been injured, another child who's been hurt, another child in state custody who's been killed.'
The investigation is expected to last several months. The results will go to the newly created Office of the Child Advocate, which was created during the recent legislative session to independently oversee CYFD under the umbrella of the state Department of Justice.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's Office sent KRQE this statement:
As the state's attorney, Mr. Torrez has authority to investigate CYFD or any other state agency, and the governor's administration always cooperates and shares any information requested. CYFD's own investigation into the tragic suicide of a teenage boy is already well underway, and the agency will share its findings with the Department of Justice.
It should be noted that just last month, Gov. Lujan Grisham signed into law a new Office of Child Advocate in the attorney general's office that confers him with authority to investigate CYFD's operations. She also authorized $650,000 to establish the office in its first year. However, as she stated in her March 21 executive message, the governor is concerned that this new office could be weaponized to intimidate CYFD and its staff rather than to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in the state's care. She reiterates this concern following the AG's unfounded, blanket criticisms of CYFD at a news conference today.
All public officials with jurisdiction over CYFD should commit to ensuring that oversight is conducted with the utmost integrity, without prejudgment or political motivation.
Michael ColemanCommunications DirectorOffice of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
CYFD sent KRQE this statement:
The death of any child is tragic, and we mourn this terrible loss and send our condolences to the family and friends of the youth who died. CYFD is disappointed that Attorney General Torres has decided not to collaborate with the Department on this important investigation. CYFD's own investigation began immediately, and we will share our findings with the Department of Justice. As Secretary Casados has said on numerous occasions, she would much prefer to work with the attorney general in a solution-focused manner, rather than via a press conference, for systemic change to New Mexico's child welfare system
Andrew SkobinskyDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Secretary | Children, Youth & Families Department
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