NM - Parents forced 8 children to live in "underground caves"; starved and sexually abused them - Deming, 2014-2024

[Clearsky]

Report: Deming couple arrested for allegedly starving, sexually abusing their 8 children

A couple from Deming was arrested and charged with reportedly sexually abusing their eight children and having them live in unsanitary conditions from 2014 to 2

kfoxtv.com

The parents identified as 50-year-old Melvin Cordell and his wife, 41-year-old Valerie Cordell are being held in jail without bond.

 

[Niner]

State of New Mexico v. Melvin W Cordell
Case Detail
Case Number Current Judge Filing Date Court
D-619-CR-202500063 DeLaney, Jennifer E. 04/03/2025 DEMING DISTRICT

Parties to this Case
Party Type Party Description Party # Party Name
D Defendant 1 CORDELL MELVIN W
ATTORNEY: CARREON MARIO A. R.
P Plaintiff 1 STATE OF NEW MEXICO
ATTORNEY: CLARK CYNTHIA HARKWELL

Criminal Charge Detail
Party Count Seq # Statute Charge Class Charge Date Cit # Plea Disposition Disp Date
D 1 1 1 30-9-11(D)(2) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Great Bodily Harm/Great Mental Anguish) F1 01/01/2022
D 1 2 1 30-9-11(D)(2) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Great Bodily Harm/Great Mental Anguish) F1 01/01/2024
D 1 3 1 30-9-13(B)(2)(a) Criminal Sexual Contact of Minor 2nd Degree (Person in Position of Authority)(Unclothed)(13-18) F2 04/06/2024
D 1 4 1 30-28-2 & 30-6-1(D) Conspiracy to Commit Abuse of a Child (No Death or GBH) 1st Offense (Intentional or Recklessly) F4 01/01/2014
D 1 5 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 6 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 7 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 8 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 9 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 10 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 11 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 12 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 13 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 14 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 15 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 16 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 17 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 18 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 19 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 20 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 21 1 30-3-5(C) Aggravated Battery (Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2022
D 1 22 1 30-3-5(C) Aggravated Battery (Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2024
D 1 23 1 30-22-5 Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Third, Fourth or Indeterminate Degree Felony) F4 01/01/2022
D 1 24 1 30-22-5 Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Third, Fourth or Indeterminate Degree Felony) F4 01/01/2024

Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
05/05/2025 1:15 PM Arraignment DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
04/23/2025 ORD: OF CONTINUANCE P 1
Hearing reset to May 5, 2025 at 1:15PM (1 page)
04/21/2025 MTN: FOR CONTINUANCE D 1
Stipulated Motion For Continuance of Arraignment on April 28, 2025 @ 1:15 pm (pgs-2)
04/16/2025 NTC: HEARING (ARRAIGNMENT) P 1
Notice of Arraignment on April 28,2025 at 1:15PM (1 page)
04/03/2025 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
( 1 page)
04/03/2025 WITNESS LIST P 1
State's List (3 pages)
04/03/2025 NTC: REQUEST/ DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY P 1
( 2 pages)
04/03/2025 DEMAND FOR NOTICE P 1
( 1 page)
04/03/2025 OPN: CRIMINAL INFORMATION / COMPLAINT P 1
( 9 pages)

Judge Assignment History
Assignment Date Judge Name Sequence # Assignment Event Description
04/03/2025 DeLaney, Jennifer E. 1 INITIAL ASSIGNMENT

link: Stale Session

 

[Niner]

State of New Mexico v. Valerie Cordell
Case Detail
Case Number Current Judge Filing Date Court
D-619-CR-202500062 DeLaney, Jennifer E. 04/03/2025 DEMING DISTRICT

Parties to this Case
Party Type Party Description Party # Party Name
D Defendant 1 CORDELL VALERIE
ATTORNEY: STEVERS STEPHEN L.
P Plaintiff 1 STATE OF NEW MEXICO
ATTORNEY: CLARK CYNTHIA HARKWELL

Criminal Charge Detail
Party Count Seq # Statute Charge Class Charge Date Cit # Plea Disposition Disp Date
D 1 1 1 30-9-11(D)(2) Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Great Bodily Harm/Great Mental Anguish) F1 01/01/2022
D 1 2 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 3 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 4 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 5 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 6 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 7 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 8 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 9 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 01/01/2014
D 1 10 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 11 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 12 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 13 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 14 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 15 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 16 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 17 1 30-6-1(D) & (E) Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) F3 04/06/2024
D 1 18 1 30-28-2 & 30-6-1(D) Conspiracy to Commit Abuse of a Child (No Death or GBH) 1st Offense (Intentional or Recklessly) F4 01/01/2014


Hearings for this Case [looks like she was arraignment already]
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
04/28/2025 9:00 AM Arraignment DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
04/30/2025 MEMORANDUM OF ARRAIGNMENT
Arraignment Proceedings (3 pages)
04/29/2025 COURT MINUTE/PROCEEDINGS
hrg held on 4/28/25 court monitor log notes attached (2pgs)
04/16/2025 NTC: HEARING (ARRAIGNMENT) P 1
Notice of Arraignment on April 28,2025 at 9AM (1 page)
04/03/2025 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
( 1 page)
04/03/2025 WITNESS LIST P 1
State List ( 3 pages)
04/03/2025 NTC: REQUEST/ DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY P 1
( 2 pages)
04/03/2025 DEMAND FOR NOTICE P 1
( 1 page)
04/03/2025 OPN: CRIMINAL INFORMATION / COMPLAINT P 1
( 8 pages)


Judge Assignment History
Assignment Date Judge Name Sequence # Assignment Event Description
04/03/2025 DeLaney, Jennifer E. 1 INITIAL ASSIGNMENT

link: Stale Session

 

[tlorik]

Hope they put them so far back in the prison they never see sunlight again.

 

[cocomod]

This story is horrible! What is wrong with people?! The 16 year old was pregnant twice? Where are the babies, or did they perform an abortion on her?

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1918395722656817604

 

[airportwoman]

This story is horrible! What is wrong with people?! The 16 year old was pregnant twice? Where are the babies, or did they perform an abortion on her?

The daughter said that her "father" forcibly aborted the pregnancies. I really don't want to know how he did it.

 

[Clearsky]

This reminds me of the Josef Fritzl case.

 

[airportwoman]

This reminds me of the Josef Fritzl case.

Except in this case, the mother and other people were involved and knew what was going on.

 

[Niner]

Docket update for Valerie- no new next hearing date yet.

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
05/02/2025 MTN: MOTION D 1
MOTION TO WITHDRAW AND FOR APPOINMENT OF NEW COUNSEL ( 1 page)

link: Stale Session

 

[Niner]

Monday, May 5th:
*Arraignment Hearing [Melvin only] (@ 1:15pm MT) - NM – 8 children (ages 6 mos to 16 yrs old) abused by their parents from 2014 to 2024 in Deming. *Melvin W. Cordell (50) arrested & charged (4/3/25) with 2 counts of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (Great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 1 count of criminal sexual contact of minor 2nd degree (person in position of authority)(unclothed), 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), 2 counts of aggravated battery (great bodily harm) & 2 counts of tampering with evidence (highest crime a third, fourth or indeterminate degree Felony). Deming County
Case info: A couple from Deming was arrested & charged with reportedly sexually abusing their eight children & having them live in unsanitary conditions from 2014 to 2024. The parents identified as 50-year-old Melvin Cordell & his wife, 41-year-old Valerie Cordell are being held in jail without bond. Melvin Cordell pleaded not guilty to 24 charges of sexual assault & child abuse. Valerie Cordell is facing 18 charges. The parents allowed other people to sexually abuse their children & take pictures of them naked. The children's ages range from 6 months to 16 years old. The children were placed in protective custody with the state.
Judge Jennifer E. DeLaney presiding. Prosecutor Cynthia Harkwell Clark & defense attorney Mario A. Carreon.
4/3/25 Docket updates: Open: Criminal information/complaint. Demand for notice. Notice: request/demand for discovery. State's witness list. Certificate of disclosure of information. 4/16/25 Docket update: Notice of arraignment on 4/28/25. 4/21/25 Docket update: Stipulated Motion for continuance of arraignment filed. 4/23/25 Docket update: Order of continuance-granted. Arraignment hearing reset on 5/5/25 @ 1:15pm.
*Valerie Cordell (41) arrested & charged (4/3/25) & arraigned (4/28/25) with 1 count of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) & 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly). Deming County
Judge Jennifer E. DeLaney presiding. Prosecutor Cynthia Harkwell Clark & defense attorney Stephen L. Sievers.
4/3/25 Docket updates: Open: Criminal information/complaint filed. Demand for Notice. Notice: Request/demand for discovery. State's witness list. Certificate of disclosure of information. 4/16/25 Docket update: Notice of arraignment hearing on 4/28/25 @ 9am. 4/29/25 Docket update: Court minute/proceedings arraignment hearing held. 4/30/25 Docket update: Memorandum of arraignment proceedings.
5/2/25 Docket update: Motion to withdraw & for appointment of new counsel.

 

[HMSHood]

This reminds me of the Josef Fritzl case.

Or the Turpin Case.

 

[Niner]

for Melvin - no further dates listed. And nothing new on Valerie.

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
05/05/2025 WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT
Waiver of Arraignment Entry of Plea of Not Guilty (4 pages)

link: Home - New Mexico Courts

 

[Niner]

only a docket update - for Valerie

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
05/08/2025 ENTRY OF APPEARANCE D 1
, Notice of Discovery Demand, Demand for Speedy Trial and Initial Disclosure of Witness (2 Pages)

link: Stale Session

 

[airportwoman]

Or the Turpin Case.

That too, although if there was any sexual abuse going on there, I haven't heard about it.

 

[Niner]

Melvin:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
11/10/2025 1:15 PM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

09/08/2025 1:15 PM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

07/07/2025 1:15 PM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court


Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
06/11/2025 ORD: SCHEDULING/PRETRIAL ORDER P 1
Pre-Trial Order (8 pages)


link: Stale Session


Valerie
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
11/10/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

09/08/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

07/07/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court


Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
06/11/2025 ORD: SCHEDULING/PRETRIAL ORDER P 1
Pre-Trial Order (3 pages)

link: Stale Session

 

[Niner]

Monday, July 7th:
*Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing [or both] (@ 9am [for Valerie] & @ 1:15pm [for Melvin] MT) - NM – 8 children (ages 6 mos to 16 yrs old) abused by their parents from 2014 to 2024 in Deming. *Melvin W. Cordell (50) arrested & charged (4/3/25) & arraigned (5/5/25) with 2 counts of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (Great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 1 count of criminal sexual contact of minor 2nd degree (person in position of authority)(unclothed), 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), 2 counts of aggravated battery (great bodily harm) & 2 counts of tampering with evidence (highest crime a third, fourth or indeterminate degree Felony). Plead not guilty (5/5/25). Deming County
Judge Jennifer B. Delaney presiding. Prosecutor Cynthia Harkwell Clark. Defense attorney Mario A.R. Carreon.
Case & court info from 4/3/25 thru 4/21/25 reference post #11 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nm-p...sexually-abused-them-deming-2014-2024.742387/
4/23/25 Docket update: Order of continuance-granted. Arraignment hearing reset on 5/5/25 @ 1:15pm. 5/5/25 Docket update: Waiver of arraignment entry of Plea of Not Guilty.
6/11/25 Docket update: Order Scheduling/pretrial Order. Next pretrial conference/plea hearing on 7/7/25 @ 1:15pm, pretrial conference/plea hearing on 9/8/25 @ 1:15pm & pretrial conference/plea hearing on 11/10/25 @ 1:15pm with Judge Jennifer B. DeLaney presiding.
*Valerie Cordell (41) arrested & charged (4/3/25) & arraigned (4/28/25) with 1 count of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) & 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly). Deming County
Judge Jennifer E. DeLaney presiding. Prosecutor Cynthia Harkwell Clark & defense attorney Stephen L. Sievers.
Case & court info from 4/3/25 thru 4/30/25 reference post #11 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nm-p...sexually-abused-them-deming-2014-2024.742387/
5/2/25 Docket update: Motion to withdraw & for appointment of new counsel. 5/8/25 Docket update: Notice of discovery demand; demand for speedy trial & initial disclosure of witness filed by State.
6/11/25 Docket update: Order: Scheduling/pretrial Order. Next pretrial conference/plea hearing on 7/7/25 @ 9am, pretrial conference/plea hearing on 9/8/25 @ 9am & pretrial conference/plea hearing on 11/10/25 @ 9am with Judge Jennifer B. DeLaney presiding.

 

[Niner]

Docket update for Valerie only - none for Melvin

Register of Actions Activity
Event Date Event Description Event Result Party Type Party # Amount
07/11/2025 COURT MINUTE/PROCEEDINGS
hrg held on 7/7/25 court monitor log notes attached (2pgs)


for both:
Hearings for this Case
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Hearing Judge Court Court Room
11/10/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

09/08/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

07/07/2025 9:00 AM Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing/Docket Call DeLaney, Jennifer E. DEMING DISTRICT COURT Luna County District Court

link: Stale Session

edited to add - Melvin's court time starts at 1:15pm - guessing they will be tried separately.

 

[Penny68]

Sickening to the highest degree what they put their children through. I hope they get to rot in Jail for the rest of their days with no parole.

 

[Niner]

Since I am on Holiday & will be traveling thru the weekend & Monday - I shall go ahead & post this now!

Monday, Sept. 8th:
*Pretrial Conference/Plea Hearing (@ 9am [for Valerie] & @ 1:15pm [for Melvin] MT) - NM – 8 children (ages 6 mos to 16 yrs old) abused by their parents from 2014 to 2024 in Deming. *Melvin W. Cordell (50) arrested & charged (4/3/25) & arraigned (5/5/25) with 2 counts of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (Great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 1 count of criminal sexual contact of minor 2nd degree (person in position of authority)(unclothed), 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), 2 counts of aggravated battery (great bodily harm) & 2 counts of tampering with evidence (highest crime a third, fourth or indeterminate degree Felony). Plead not guilty (5/5/25). Deming County
*Valerie Cordell (41) arrested & charged (4/3/25) & arraigned (4/28/25) with 1 count of criminal sexual penetration in the 1st degree (great bodily harm/great mental anguish), 16 counts of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) & 1 count of conspiracy to commit abuse of a child (no death or GBH) 1st offense (intentional or recklessly). Deming County
Trial set to begin on 10/13/26.
Judge Jennifer B. Delaney presiding. Prosecutor Cynthia Harkwell Clark. Defense attorney Mario A.R. Carreon for Melvin & defense attorney Stephen L. Sievers.
Case & court info from 4/3/25 thru 5/5/25 reference post #17 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nm-p...sexually-abused-them-deming-2014-2024.742387/
6/11/25 Docket update: Order Scheduling/pretrial Order. Next pretrial conference/plea hearing on 7/7/25 @ 1:15pm, pretrial conference/plea hearing on 9/8/25 @ 1:15pm & pretrial conference/plea hearing on 11/10/25 @ 1:15pm with Judge Jennifer B. DeLaney presiding.
7/7/25 Update: Next pretrial conference/plea hearing/docket call on 9/8/25 @ 1:15pm. Next will be the following pretrial conference/plea hearings on 11/10/25, 5/11/26 & 9/22/26 all at 1:15pm & trial will be set on 10/13/26 @ 9am.