ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Within the past week, two mothers from separate homes have been charged shortly after their children were released from the Children, Youth and Families Department custody.

One of the children, an 8-year-old boy, has been in CYFD custody since July 2023 after a domestic incident and testing positive for drugs. Now, two years later, he tested positive again.

"We took the easy way out, and we potentially set this family up for failure," said Maralyn Beck, Founder of New Mexico Child First Network. "It's time to advocate for better outcomes. If this child needed better resources, this is a manageable issue. Solutions exist. We need to get kids the appropriate placement."

Last Wednesday, an 18-month-old died in their mother's custody. Both children were on a trial ho

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