Crystal Brantley, a state senator for New Mexico's 35th District, said that children are dying due to legislative inaction on child welfare reforms in the state. She highlighted a lack of bipartisan momentum behind oversight and accountability legislation during a podcast appearance on March 6.
"Kids are dying because we're not doing our job as lawmakers to come in here and mandate that that agency get their stuff together," said Brantley, New Mexico State Senator. "We've got to dismantle and rebuild that agency. For the first time, we are finally getting some traction in bringing some massive reform to a failing agency."
According to the podcast, the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) in New Mexico has been criticized for failing to protect vulnerable children, with multiple instances of child deaths occurring under its watch. Brantley said that despite receiving all requested financial resources, the agency remains unresponsive and ineffective. Families and lawmakers are advocating for significant reform, including independent oversight, as some children have even chosen homelessness over remaining in foster care.
Source NM reports that New Mexico’s CYFD has long struggled with systemic failures such as instability, poor oversight, and trauma-inducing practices. Despite decades of reforms and funding efforts, the department continues to fall short in protecting vulnerable youth. This is exemplified by a 2018 lawsuit where foster children alleged re-traumatization due to unsafe placements and a lack of services. Attorney Bette Fleishman noted instances where "these kids [were] sleeping in offices," which was unprecedented. They reportedly slept on floors without food or showers for days.
House Bill 5 (2025) in the New Mexico Legislature proposes establishing an independent Office of Child Advocate. This office would operate outside of CYFD to provide oversight, investigate complaints, and ensure accountability within the child welfare system. The bill aims to restore public trust and better protect children by offering families and advocates a neutral platform to report concerns. It has gained bipartisan support, indicating lawmakers' recognition that CYFD cannot effectively police itself.
According to her website, Senator Brantley is the first woman and Republican to represent New Mexico’s Senate District 35. A Las Cruces native and NMSU graduate, she is also a rural advocate serving on the Senate Finance Committee with a focus on agriculture, law enforcement, and small business support.
