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Latin Times
Latin Times
National
M.B. Mack

New Mexico Parents Forced 8 Children to Live in 'Underground Cave' While Enduring Years of Sexual Abuse: Police

Valerie Cordell, 41, pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including child abuse and first-degree criminal sexual penetration. Her husband, 50-year-old Melvin Cordell, is facing 24 charges, including rape, child abuse, aggravated battery and tampering with evidence.

A New Mexico couple is facing more than a dozen charges after authorities say they forced their eight children to live in squalid "underground caves" while subjecting them to a decade of physical and sexual abuse.

The abuse came to light in October 2024 when the couple's 16-year-old daughter confided in staff at the New Mexico National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy, according to KRQE News.

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