How Could You? Hall of Shame-Chereyl and David Coffelt

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

This is a missing 2010/2011 case. From Las Cruces, New Mexico, adoptive parents Chereyl Coffelt, 52, and David Coffelt, 58, were arrested on September 12, 2010 on one count each of intentional child abuse and negligent child abuse for allegedly keeping their 14-and 15-year old adopted sons in “deplorable”conditions in the home and punishing them at least three times by dropping them off and making them walk 6 miles back to their home. Chereyl was a New Mexico State University program coordinator. David was a volunteer pastor at Church of God World Missions.
KVIA reported that “They actually walked through the desert, through arroyos, through the bushes and weeds, through sand, over rough terrain and with very little provisions,” Dan Trujillo, Las Cruces Police Department Spokesperson, said. “They were typical 14 to 15 year olds and I don’t think there’s anything specific the kids did to warrant this punishment.”

Each parent is charged with one count of intentional and negligent child abuse. But a close family friend, who asked not to be identified, said she is certain the Coffelts would never do anything to hurt their teenage sons. “I’m just shocked at this period,” a family friend said. “I can’t imagine it happening, ever.”The family friend says it is “very likely” the boys may have made something like this up as a way to retaliate against their parents.”I’ve been in the home and they’ve never raised a hand at those kids ever, ever, ever,” a family friend said.But investigators said the boys told them that on at least three occasions the Coffelts drove them near the Organ Mountains, a distance ABC-7 tracked at about 9 miles.Police said one of the boys told them their dad dropped them off in the middle of the afternoon and said, “Walk home.” Police say the boys told them they were left with only a bottle of water and a burrito.

Through rugged desert conditions, police said it took them nearly four hours to find their way back to the city.Once inside their home on Missouri, one of the boys told police David punched him several times in the face, while Chereyl hit him on the back of his head.It was then the boys escaped to a neighbor’s house and called for help saying we’re “frustrated and want some freedom.”

“It just wouldn’t have happened, it’s not for real. They’re not violent people, they’re sweet, kind people,” a family friend said. “I think that Cherri and David need to be home, they don’t need to be in jail; it’s not where they belong at all.”Police say the boys told them they were also forced to strip down each night and told they had to earn their clothes back.The boys also allege they were locked in their bedroom, in the dark, where they slept on the floor with only a blanket.The teenagers are now in state custody.”
 KFOX reported that “attorney said their adopted teenage boys were disruptive and sometimes abusive. The couple called police when the boys sneaked out of the house in the middle of the night, according to attorney Jeff Lahann.
Lahann reports the Coffelts disciplined them by making them walk four miles, one mile for each hour they were missing.
He also said they contacted state and social services agencies numerous times.
The state Children, Youth and Families Department declined to comment.”
Albuquerque Journal adds that “Detectives also allege the parents forced them to sleep in a room with no mattresses or light bulb.”
Also, “On Sept. 4, the teens clashed with their parents again, refusing to go on a planned camping trip, Lahann said.
“One of the boys was being argumentative and became physical with Mrs. Coffelt, got in her face, shoved her back and was being very disrespectful,” Lahann told the Sun-News. “Mr. Coffelt stepped in to break that up and Mr. Coffelt was attacked …”
The boy who pushed David Coffelt, who is disabled and awaiting a kidney transplant, walked out of the house, threw rocks at the parents when they went outside, then went to a neighbor’s house to call police and report the alleged abuse, Lahann told the paper.
Bob Tafoya, spokesman for the state Children, Youth and Families Department, declined to comment on the case, citing confidentiality laws, the Sun-News said.”
No other media articles occurred after September 2010.A search of New Mexico public court records revealed that both parents had nolle prosequi (abandoned charges ) on 3/18/11. There is no word on the location of the children, whether they were returned to the Coffelts or are in a different foster home.
Sources:

Cops: Teens Forced To Walk for Miles

[The Albuquerque Journal 9/14/10]

Parents accused of making adopted sons walk for miles had sought help

[The Albuquerque Journal 9/15/10]

Las Cruces Couple Accused Of Child Abuse Requested Help

[KFox TV 9/15/10]
Las Cruces Parents Allegedly Forced Children To Walk Several Miles Home

[KVIA 9/14/10 by Jill Gallus]

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