Angelita Chacon sentenced 20 years for fatal abuse of woman with developmental disabilities

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Filed April 6th, 2026

Detected April 7th, 2026

Summary

Attorney General Raúl Torrez and NMDOJ secured a minimum 20-year prison sentence for Angelita Chacon for abuse and neglect that led to the 2023 death of Mary Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities. Chacon and co-defendant Patricia Hurtado were ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution, including $861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to the victim's estate, covering Medicaid fraud and criminal conduct.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

Angelita Chacon was sentenced to 20-30 years in prison after pleading guilty to Abuse of a Resident Resulting in Death, False Imprisonment, and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping in connection with the April 2023 death of 38-year-old Mary Melero, who had developmental disabilities. The victim was found severely dehydrated, drugged, with open wounds, chronic bedsores with exposed bone, bruises, and lacerations. Chacon and co-defendant Patricia Hurtado were ordered to jointly pay $3.3 million in restitution for criminal actions including Medicaid fraud.

Healthcare providers and caregivers should note that the victim was found near the U.S.-Mexico border in February 2023 after being severely neglected over an extended period. This case demonstrates that abuse and neglect of vulnerable individuals will result in substantial prison sentences and significant financial restitution. Compliance teams should ensure robust internal controls to prevent similar abuse and fraud in care settings serving vulnerable populations.

Penalties

20-30 years imprisonment; $3.3 million restitution ($861,649.47 to State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to victim's estate)

Source document (simplified)

View All Press Releases

Attorney General Raúl Torrez Announces At Least 20-Year Prison Sentence in Fatal Abuse Case of Woman with Developmental Disabilities

April 6, 2026

Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Raúl Torrez and the New Mexico Department of Justice’s (NMDOJ) Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau secured a minimum of 20 years in prison for Angelita Chacon, who was charged with abuse and neglect that led to the death of Mary Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities, in 2023. Chacon’s charges include Abuse of a Resident Resulting in Death, False Imprisonment, and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping. A district court judge agreed this afternoon to a plea agreement that stipulates a sentence between 20-30 years in prison, sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

In addition to the decades-long prison sentence, Chacon, along with her co-defendant Patricia Hurtado, has been ordered to pay $3.3 million dollars in restitution for their criminal actions, which include Medicaid fraud.

“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of abuse against our most vulnerable New Mexicans,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Mary Melero deserved care, dignity, and protection, not exploitation and harm. Today’s conviction ensures accountability and makes clear that anyone who exploits vulnerable individuals will face severe, life-altering consequences.”

The NMDOJ charged Chacon and Hurtado in May 2023 with extreme abuse and neglect that led to the April 2023 death of 38-year-old Melero, a woman with developmental disabilities. In February 2023, Melero was found by Customs and Border Patrol agents in a van near the U.S.-Mexico border, severely dehydrated, drugged, and bearing open wounds, chronic bedsores with exposed bone, bruises, and lacerations. In June 2025, the defendants were remanded into custody after violating release conditions by tampering with GPS monitors and contacting each other. In September 2025, the NMDOJ executed an agreement with Hurtado that secured breakthrough testimony against Chacon, along with restitution.

In addition to the incarceration stipulation, the agreement also specifies that Chacon is jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $861,649.47 to the State of New Mexico and $2.5 million to the estate of the victim, Mary Melero.

Plea and Disposition Agreement

Several state and federal agencies came together on this case including the El Paso FBI Field Office, New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the Albuquerque FBI Field Office.

This case was investigated by the NMDOJ’s Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB). The New Mexico MFEAB receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,623,761.71 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,207,920.57 for fiscal year 2026, is funded by the State of New Mexico.