“It Felt Like a Horror Film”: New Mexico Parents Accused of Forcing Children to Live in Caves and Endure Years of Abuse
There are stories that rattle even the most hardened officers—and this was one of them.
In the barren landscape of Luna County, New Mexico, police say they found something closer to a dystopian nightmare than a family home: a 35-acre lot filled with trash, rotting food, feces in buckets—and seven children, ranging in age from an infant to a teenager, living in caves and old vehicles. Some, authorities allege, were sleeping outdoors on moldy mattresses or inside broken-down vans.
The children’s parents, Melvin and Valerie Cordell, now face a staggering list of charges—24 felonies for Melvin, 18 for Valerie—including child abuse, criminal sexual contact of a minor, and conspiracy.
And behind those charges? A decade of alleged torment.
"It Looked Like a Bunker"
Officers first arrived on the property in October 2024 after receiving a tip about possible sexual abuse. What they found, according to bodycam footage and police reports, shocked them: mounds of trash, open pits in the ground, and what looked like cave entrances.
“It looks like a bunker,” one officer said as he moved through the area, dodging debris and calling out for the children’s names.
At one point, police encountered a horse—still alive, but barely—its hooves painfully overgrown. Nearby, containers of spoiled milk and sun-baked yogurt were left scattered in the dirt.
Social workers from New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department were present too. Even they, according to on-scene recordings, were stunned by the smell, the filth, and the lack of any sanitary structure.
A Hidden Pregnancy, a Forced Abortion
Perhaps the most disturbing claim in the case: one of the Cordells’ teenage daughters, now 16, was allegedly sexually abused by her father from the age of 12 or 13.
She reportedly became pregnant. Police say her parents performed a makeshift abortion, themselves.
Court documents detail years of repeated abuse, neglect, and starvation. Children, some not yet in school, were allegedly denied access to bathrooms, regular meals, or clean water.
Authorities believe the kids lived like this—underground or outdoors—for close to a decade.
Calm Smiles, Dirty Trailers
When police first tried to speak to the Cordells, the couple didn’t hide or run. In fact, they appeared calm. Melvin made small talk about gardening. Valerie asked for a chair, said she was thirsty.
They chatted about compost and cucumbers, livestock, and property lines.
But officers had already seen the condition of the children’s environment. Their patience was wearing thin.
“It just doesn’t match,” one officer muttered. “Talking about sustainable farming while your kids are sleeping in caves? While there’s human waste everywhere?”
The Arrest and What Comes Next
It took months of surveillance and follow-up before the Cordells were finally arrested. On February 21, 2025, police served a search warrant and took both Melvin and Valerie into custody.
Melvin faces 24 felony charges. Valerie, 18. Among them are multiple counts of child abuse, criminal sexual conduct, and tampering with evidence. Both are currently being held without bond.
Officials say the case is still active, with more potential charges coming as forensic and psychological evaluations of the children continue.
A Case That Broke the Silence
This story has not only shocked the nation—it’s sparked debate over how such alleged abuse could continue unchecked for so long, especially with multiple children involved.
“These kids were out of sight,” one source close to the investigation said. “Literally underground.”
And now that their story is in the light, it’s raising questions law enforcement and social agencies will be forced to answer.
