A New Mexico judge has postponed the trial of a couple accused of sexually and physically abusing their children, giving defense attorneys more time to respond to the state’s proposed expert witnesses, KRQE reports.
Melvin and Valerie Cordell were scheduled to stand trial Wednesday over allegations that they forced their eight children, ages 6 months to 16 years, to live in man-made tunnels outside their Deming property from 2014 to 2024, and made the children perform sexual acts. The district attorney’s office said the trial was vacated after a hearing last week on whether prosecutors had disclosed their expert witnesses in time. A new trial date has not been set.
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According to court documents, the children lived outdoors year-round on a 35-acre property, sleeping in underground caves or broken-down vehicles amid garbage and human waste, and food was sometimes withheld as punishment. The investigation began in October 2024 after the 16-year-old daughter reported the abuse. The Cordells were arrested in February 2025 and have pleaded not guilty.
Earlier this week, District Judge Jennifer DeLaney ordered the couple released from custody, noting that their parental rights had been terminated and the children were in foster care. She prohibited them from contacting the children.
What's Next
A new trial date has not been announced, and the allegations remain subject to trial.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KRQE’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Nov. 1, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit KRQE’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
