Rebecca Dow, the state representative for New Mexico’s 38th District, said state child welfare officials are avoiding accountability under the guise of confidentiality following the death of a 16-year-old in their custody. Dow is calling for immediate structural reform, and her statement was made on X.
"When a 16-year-old dies in CYFD custody and the system hides behind laws to avoid accountability, it's not confidentiality — it's complicity," said Rebecca L. Dow, New Mexico State Representative for 38th District (R). "The time for polite reform has passed."
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez launched an investigation into the state’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) in April 2025 after the suicide of 16-year-old Jaydun Garcia. Garcia had been placed in a facility previously deemed unfit for youth in crisis. According to Source New Mexico, Torrez said that the investigation aims to determine whether CYFD engaged in systemic neglect or misconduct that endangered vulnerable children. The case has reignited public concern over CYFD’s oversight and accountability.
Between 2018 and 2022, New Mexico reported 84 child deaths through its Child Fatality Review, with 80% of these deaths considered preventable. A report from the New Mexico Department of Health in 2023 indicated that leading causes included asphyxiation (30%) and trauma from bodily force or weapons (27%). The data also showed that 35 fatalities involved infants under one year old, highlighting ongoing challenges in child welfare and safety within the state.
In a broader context, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reported 1,990 child fatalities due to abuse or neglect nationwide in 2022, equating to a rate of 2.73 per 100,000 children. The federal Child Maltreatment 2022 report noted a slight increase in these fatalities compared to previous years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of child protection systems across states.
Dow served as a representative for New Mexico House District 38 from 2016 to 2022 and was re-elected in 2024. Her legislative biography and reporting by KVIA highlight her background as an educator and CEO with a strong focus on child welfare. She advocates for preventative services and early childhood interventions and has consistently raised concerns about CYFD's handling of vulnerable children.
