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Whistleblower alleges 2021 juvenile center assault and raises lawsuit against county
Summary
At the public‑comment period a Bernalillo County employee and family members alleged video evidence shows an officer allowed an inmate to kick David Cordova in the head in 2021 at the Juvenile Justice Detention Center, alleged failure to nurse and to notify family, and said Cordova was later terminated after reporting; they said they are pursuing a suit seeking over $30 million.
During the Dec. 10 public‑comment period, Shannon Cordova — speaking with David Cordova present — identified herself and her husband as whistleblowers alleging a January 7, 2021 incident at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Justice Detention Center in which video, she said, shows an officer stepping aside and an inmate violently kicking David Cordova in the head. Shannon Cordova alleged medical staff conversed rather than responding to the emergency, that her husband was taken to an emergency room and left without a supervisor or manager as required by policy, and that the county failed to notify her as next of kin.
She said they retained counsel but alleged that their attorney collaborated with opposing counsel and later resigned and filed charges against David Cordova for possessing two edited pieces of video evidence. Shannon Cordova added that Mr. Cordova brought the matter to the district attorney and subsequently was terminated from the Juvenile Justice Center; she said they are pursuing litigation seeking damages exceeding $30,000,000. The chair interrupted to enforce the two‑minute public‑comment limit; staff offered a follow‑up for paperwork and contact information. No formal administrative response or investigation outcome was provided during the meeting.
