New Mexico has one of the nation's highest rates of child abuse and neglect, and the state's Department of Children, Youth, and Families has been accused of doing little to stop it.
In fact, the department has been accused of turning a blind eye to some of the worst cases of child abuse and neglect in the country, including the death of a 4-year-old boy who was left to die in his father's arms for more than a year, KRQE reports.
"Some of the most horrific cases of child abuse that we've seen nationwide are happening here in New Mexico, and that is unacceptable," Republican state Sen.
Crystal Diamond tells KOAT.
"If we walk away from this session, and we have not done something to fix the problem, I absolutely know that we failed," adds Republican state Rep.
Alan Martinez, who says he has introduced a number of bills to fix the system, including one that would create a new child welfare advisory council.
CYFD says it is working closely with lawmakers on HB 461, the Children's and Families' Rights Act, which would create the Child Welfare Innovation Center, the Provider Advisory Council, and promote the well-being and safety of all children and youth.
The department
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