ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — “Torture” is how New Mexico’s prime prosecutor describes the remedy a 38-year-old developmentally disabled girl endured earlier than her loss of life by the hands of her caregivers, who he stated have been paid 1000's of {dollars} a month via a particular program meant to supply a substitute for institutional care.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez detailed the girl’s accidents throughout a information convention Thursday, saying she died after being discovered at the back of a van because the caregivers tried to take her to Mexico so her wounds may very well be handled.

“The abuse and neglect that she endured was horrific and the injuries she sustained are among the worst I have seen in my career as a prosecutor,” Torrez stated. “This was torture. There’s really no other word for it.”

Three individuals have been arrested and charged Wednesday with abuse and neglect following an investigation that started with the cease on the U.S.-Mexico border in April.

The case spurred a statewide overview of New Mexico’s whole developmentally disabled waiver system. Social employees spent weeks conducting particular person wellness checks on 1000's of developmentally disabled individuals who obtain care via the federally-funded waiver program.

More allegations of doable abuse and neglect have been turned up, and the state Health Department canceled contracts with 4 suppliers within the Albuquerque space.

An affidavit filed by the Attorney General’s Office particulars the abuse that resulted within the expenses filed Wednesday towards Angelita Rene Chacon, 52, and Patricia Hurtado, 42, each of Rio Rancho. They face counts of abuse or neglect of a resident leading to loss of life.

Luz Scott of Clovis, an acquaintance of the ladies, has been charged with false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

It wasn’t instantly clear Thursday if any of the suspects had a lawyer but.

According to the lawyer basic’s workplace, Chacon and Hurtado contracted with At Home Advocacy and three different contractors to supply supplemental take care of the sufferer. They have been receiving about $5,000 a month beneath the waiver program to take care of her.

Prosecutors say a preliminary overview of obtainable enterprise information point out that At Home Advocacy acquired almost $250,000 to coordinate care and help for the sufferer within the three years earlier than her loss of life.

Records present the corporate final visited the house on Jan. 25, one month earlier than the sufferer was discovered on the port of entry in El Paso.

According to court docket information, a supervisor with At Home Advocacy informed FBI brokers the corporate carried out month-to-month wellness visits at Chacon’s residence however that “body checks” weren't carried out throughout these visits and that no accidents have been seen.

Authorities stated the girl who died was severely dehydrated and drugged when she was discovered within the van. She additionally had quite a few open wounds, bedsores with uncovered bone and bruises and lacerations on numerous elements of her physique.

They additionally described marks in step with being restrained for a protracted time frame.

Unable to talk when found by federal brokers on the border crossing, she was transported to University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, the place she died on April 7, 2023. The Associated Press typically doesn't identify individuals who have been abused.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and prime well being officers had warned that any caregivers who mistreat and abuse developmentally disabled or in any other case susceptible individuals can be held accountable.

Republican legislative leaders additionally requested that the federal authorities examine, saying an unbiased inquiry would guarantee transparency and would possibly stop such instances sooner or later.

• Associated Press author Walter Berry in Phoenix contributed to this story.

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