KOAT 7 Action News (Albuquerque, NM) reports that it obtained body camera footage of the monthslong investigation of a New Mexico couple following allegations of child abuse and sex crimes involving eight children living inside their Deming, New Mexico, household. New Mexico State Police (NMSP”), following a referral from the Roswell Police Department, began its investigation in October 2024 following a complaint made to the Children’s Youth and Families Department (“CYFD”).
As of Monday, May 5, 2025, Melvin Cordell (50) and Valerie Cordell (41) are currently held without bond at the Luna County Detention Center and have entered “not guilty” pleas. The eight children are in CYFD custody.
The KOAT 7 Action News articles from yesterday (5/6/2025) may be read in full HERE and HERE.
My brothers and sisters, what evil exists in our world today! The parents, while presumed innocent until found guilty by a court under the criminal justice system, clearly have had their hearts hardened by the evil one.
Let’s pray for swift and proper justice for the parents, with all due mercy as the Lord wills; but more importantly, let’s pray for the eight children, who have certainly suffered both emotional and physical trauma. No child should ever have to suffer abuse, least of all from their own parents or guardians!
Let’s remember what the Bible has to say about our children and those who are responsible for their wellbeing:
Matthew 19:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
Jesus Blesses Little Children
“Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them [for a blessing] and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them. But He said, ‘[l]eave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 18:6 (NKJV)
“But whoever causes one of these little ones [children] who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
