New Mexico

New Mexico Supreme Court orders new trial for Portales daycare operators convicted of child abuse

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

New Mexico Supreme Court orders new trial for Portales daycare operators convicted of child abuse

PORTALES, New Mexico (KCBD) – The New Mexico Supreme Court reversed the reckless child abuse convictions of two former Portales daycare workers who left two children unattended in a hot car in July 2017. Sandi and Mary Taylor were found guilty of killing one toddler and severely injuring another and convicted in 2019.

Mother, Mary, and her daughter, Sandi, were each sentenced to 36 years in prison. The court has now ordered a new trial after a split decision on whether evidence presented “confused and misdirected” the jury on the defendants actions to have committed reckless child abuse.

“The problem with the jury instructions used at Defendants’ joint trial arises from confusion and misdirection due to the unfortunate use of an inappropriate conjunctive term in the complex, essential-elements instructions that set out the course of conduct the jury was required to find in order to return guilty verdicts,” the Court wrote in an opinion by Justice Michael E. Vigil.

The court’s majority found a new trial would not violate the Taylors’ constitution protections against double jeopardy and reversed their convictions.

The Taylors ran a licensed daycare out of their home and were trained on policies of the state Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). Reports state the Taylors had driven 12 children in their care to a local park in two SUVs. When they returned, ten of the children were taken inside but the appeal states Sandi and Mary Taylor “failed to remove victims from the SUV, and both remained buckled in their car seats.”

During the Taylors’ trial, in order to convict them of reckless child abuse, jurors had to find that the defendants “did not follow the proper rules and procedures mandated by CYFD.”

Based on those instructions, the court’s majority explained, “the jury was allowed to return guilty verdicts solely on one or more of defendants’ alleged CYFD violations.”

At new trial date has not yet been set.

To read the decision in State v. Taylor, No. S-1-SC-38818, please visit the New Mexico Compilation Commission’s website using the following link:

https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsc/en/item/522417/index.do

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New Mexico

Switchbacks face perfect test against New Mexico; Duke Lacroix to make club history at World Cup

Published

3 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Press Room

Switchbacks face perfect test against New Mexico; Duke Lacroix to make club history at World Cup

Juan Tejada said it best. “I think the group that we have, the depth of the squad, every game we take it as it’s going to be a win,” he said. “Even if we’re in the Open Cup, we’re in the Prinx Tires Cup or we’re in an additional cup, we’re going to fight and […]

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New Mexico

Two men arrested for deadly shooting outside Frontier Restaurant

Published

15 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Two men arrested for deadly shooting outside Frontier Restaurant

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Police arrested two young men on murder charges after a deadly shooting outside the Frontier Restaurant near the University of New Mexico.

Police said 19-year-old Junior Lewis and 20-year-old Evan Rogers are in custody and both face murder charges.

Police said both men are set to face a judge Saturday.

Investigators said they found both suspects inside Rogers’ dorm room at UNM.

The shooting happened in the early morning hours Thursday just south of Central between Cornell and Stanford.

Police said the man who was shot died at the scene.

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New Mexico

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Leapfrog released its 2026 spring hospital safety grades.

Grades are assigned based on overall performance, including patient safety.

The Leapfrog Group’s goal is to publicly report patient safety and quality information for the benefit of consumers, purchasers, and referring physicians as they make decisions about where to seek care and where to direct patients,” the company stated on its website.

Here’s how your local hospitals performed.

MountainView Regional Medical Center – A

Leapfrog gave MountainView an “A.”

“Being the only hospital in Doña Ana County to earn an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group speaks to the high standards our team sets – and meets – every day,” said MountainView CEO Patrick Shannon. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and employees to deliver the safest care possible for our community.”

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that MountainView is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”

The hospital performed better than average in several areas including low infection rates, addressing safety problems, and ICU care. The hospital received below average performances ratings in surgical site infections post colon surgery, communication about medicine and discharge, communication with doctors and nurses and nursing and bedside care for patients.

Memorial Medical Center – B

Memorial Medical Center received a “B” grade from Leapfrog.

The hospital performed well in effective leadership, reduction and prevention of infections and addressing safety problems.

The hospital received below average ratings for kidney injury after surgery, serious breathing problems, harmful events, communication about medicine and discharge, and communication with doctors and nurses.

Not rated by Leapfrog were Three Crosses Regional Hospital.