Family Help & Wellness: Lawsuit against Sandhill Center Alleges Staff Sexual Abuse of Children

February 11, 2026

Staff members were allowed to sexually abuse girls at a residential treatment center in Los Lunas for children with mental and behavioral health problems, a new lawsuit claims.

Sexual abuse of girls ages 8 to 14 occurred at the Sandhill Center beginning as early as 2006, the lawsuit alleges. It was filed on behalf of a former resident who says she was sexually assaulted over several months in 2008 and 2009 by Sergio Martinez, a staff member at the time.

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