Caregivers accused of causing fatal abuse in 2023 case remanded in custody, awaiting trial.
Updated Allegations Against Caregivers in Disabled Woman's Death
Caregivers Angelita Chacon, 54, and Patricia Hurtado, 44, are in hot water after breaching their legal restrictions in the gruesome death of Mary Melero, a disabled woman under their care.
In a surprising turn of events on Monday, prosecutors revealed that these two women have repeatedly slipped their ankle monitors, defying a judge's travel restrictions. Their continued transgressions have led to their remand in custody as they await trial on charges like abuse resulting in death, false imprisonment, and Medicaid fraud.
The horrifying incident unfolded back in 2023, when Chacon and Hurtado attempted to cross the border into Mexico with Melero, who lay lifeless in the back of their vehicle. On the dangerous journey, Melero sustained grave injuries such as bedsores that penetrated the bone, septic open wounds, and bruises from being unlawfully restrained.
The authorities discovered the heinous abuse in February 2023, after which Melero was rushed to an El Paso hospital but ultimately succumbed to a fatal heart attack on April 7, 2023, following the suspension of life support.
Assistant Attorney General Gregory Garvey expressed his staunch stance against the duo, stating, "They need to be remanded into custody now. They were fleeing the country with a woman they knew was dying in the back of their vehicle."
Garvey hinted at the possibility of federal charges for the women, as they potentially face charges for kidnapping resulting in death - a capital offense under federal law. However, Hurtado's attorney, Susan Burgess-Farrell, criticized this potential punishment, expressing her concern over such a statement being made in court.
Melero's tragic death shed light on the treatment of disabled individuals under New Mexico's Developmental Disabilities Waiver program, with Attorney General Raúl Torrez describing her treatment as "torture." While the trial dates for both caregivers are set for September 10, further updates regarding the trial's progress remain scarce.
Sources:[1] Santa Fe New Mexican – Search for more related cases[2] Local News Network – Follow the latest updates on this case in New Mexico
The caregivers, Angelita Chacon and Patricia Hurtado, have found themselves in trouble for repeatedly violating travel restrictions, as they defied a judge's order by slipping their ankle monitors. This breach has attracted interest not only in general-news but also in crime-and-justice, politics, and even news regarding New Mexico's Developmental Disabilities Waiver program, following the tragic death of their ward, Mary Melero.
