Rebecca Dow, a representative in the New Mexico House, has criticized state leadership for allegedly ignoring repeated child fatalities under the oversight of the Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD). She said that while these issues persist, the focus has been on closing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Dow described the agency's failures as "unacceptable" in a statement made on X.
"I am absolutely fed up with the continued failed policies at CYFD," said Rebecca L. Dow, New Mexico State Representative for 38th District (R). "I'm disgusted that MLG is calling a special session to close ICE facilities (making our state more dangerous) instead of addressing the DUMPSTER FIRES at CYFD. This is the fifth infant fatality due to maltreatment in three months. Sweet Angel Child, Died August 19, 2025, Open Investigation."
In 2025, CYFD faced significant scrutiny following the deaths of at least four children under its care. Among these cases was an 18-month-old who died from abuse after being returned to her parents on a trial basis. This incident led lawmakers and advocates to call for accountability and prompted the state Attorney General to initiate a broad investigation into systemic failures within CYFD. These developments were reported by KOB-TV and Source New Mexico.
According to CYFD’s 2024 report to the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act program, New Mexico recorded 19 child fatalities related to abuse or neglect in 2022. These figures were confirmed through the state's Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) data system and submitted to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, highlighting the extent of maltreatment cases.
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center provided additional context, reporting that New Mexico's maltreatment rate is 14.9 per 1,000 children—nearly double the national rate of 8.4. Additionally, child fatalities linked to abuse occur at a rate of 2.75 per 100,000 children in New Mexico compared to 2.38 nationally. These statistics place New Mexico among the states with poor outcomes for repeat maltreatment and child welfare.
Dow served as a Republican legislator from District 38 in the New Mexico House from 2017 to 2023 before returning in 2025. A business owner and founder of early childhood programs in Sierra County, she also launched the legislative Early Childhood Caucus. Her policy positions have focused on deregulation, child welfare reform, and family support initiatives.
