New Mexico
New Mexico lawmakers update caregiving requirements
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The death of a New Mexico woman with a disability, allegedly at the hands of her caregivers, woke state leaders up.
For State Rep. Liz Thomson, it’s personal. Her son has disabilities that require him to live in a group home.
“I’ve been aware of this for a long time, but a lot of folks have not,” said. Rep. Thomson, who chairs the state’s Legislative Health and Human Service Committee.
On the committee, Thomson is able to push for changes to programs, like the Developmental Disabilities Waiver. They also provide services and support for thousands of New Mexicans with disabilities.
“There’s definitely gaps. We have a good program, but there are holes,” Thomson said.
The death of Mary Melero seemingly made those holes became obvious. Prosecutors accused three of her caretakers of neglecting her to the point of death.
U.S. Border Patrol agents found Melero when the group tried to take her to Mexico for treatment. She died shortly after that.
“There’s no more of a worst case scenario than that,” said Joseph Martinez, the acting director of the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Division of the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Martinez is helping prosecute that case. He said they’ve worked with state agencies over the past two years to better communicate and investigate claims.
“We’ve taken multiple steps to increase potential referrals. We’ve done a ton of outreach, letting you know we are available to hear those complaints,” Martinez said.
Rep. Thomson also helped pass a bill this past session that adds a few crimes to the list of what makes someone ineligible to be caregivers.
“We’re always open to, if we learn more, if something there’s new technology, if there’s, you know, another horrific case, fingers crossed that there won’t be. That shows us some places where we’re not as robust as we should be,” Thomson said.
Her next goal is to land more funding and benefits for caregivers.
“You can make more money flipping burgers at a fast food joint than you can caring for people like my son. So, I think we need to invest in our system and put people who really want– it’s a calling, but you have to be able to make a living,” Thomson said.
Recently, a judge decided two of Melero’s alleged killers will stay in jail after violating their conditions of release.
MORE: 3 New Mexico women arrested, accused of torturing disabled woman
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rereleased a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, according to a news release.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured gray wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.
Colorado wildlife officials decided to release the wolf in Grand County yesterday because of the proximity to “an unpaired female gray wolf,” nearby prey populations and distance from livestock, according to the release.
“Gray wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and released in a location where it can best contribute to CPW’s efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population while concurrently attempting to minimize potential wolf-related livestock conflicts,” said acting director of CPW Laura Clellan, according to the release.
The wolf was once a member of the Copper Creek pack but departed from it this fall.
A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any gray wolves that leave Colorado and enter those states be returned. That was created in part to maintain the integrity of a Mexican wolf recovery program.
“We recognized during the planning process that we would need to have consideration and plans to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf recovery program, while also establishing a gray wolf population in Colorado,” said CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, according to the release.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A judge sentenced a New Mexico man to nearly 20 years in prison for distributing meth and having guns in his possession to use while doing so.
Court records indicate 43-year-old David Amaya sold meth from a trailer on his parents’ property in Anthony throughout July and August 2024. Agents executed a search warrant Aug. 22 and found 1.18 kilograms of meth, two firearms and ammunition in the trailer and a makeshift bathroom.
Amaya pleaded guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute it. A judge sentenced him to 235 months in prison.
Once he is out, Amaya will face five years of supervised release.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Las Cruces Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams prosecuted it.
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:
Powerball
10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Day: 8-2-7
Evening: 6-9-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lotto America
03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-0-7-8
Day: 3-7-2-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
02-04-06-21-22
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball Double Play
13-15-51-67-68, Powerball: 08
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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