Las Cruces couple accused of physically abusing woman’s young children

A Las Cruces brother and sister are in the custody of the state after being physically abused for a year, allegedly at the hands of their mother and her boyfriend.

Josie Rubio, 28, and 24-year-old Stephan Cordero each face 15 counts of child abuse-related charges.

A school counselor who suspected abuse referred the case to law enforcement.

Doa Ana County Sheriff’s investigators said the abuse began when Rubio, her 12-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son moved in with Cordero last April. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Rubio and Cordero immediately after interviewing them and the children.

The young boy told detectives that between April and October, Cordero occasionally forced him to sleep outside and denied him a blanket when the weather was cold. The boy said he kept warm using a propane grill.

The boy also said that some mornings, Cordero sprayed him down with the garden hose.

Cordero allegedly used a stick to beat the boy, who often snuck away and sought shelter at a friend’s house.

The boy told detectives that on more than one occasion, Cordero shot him with a pellet gun. A detective verified the boy’s statement after observing a pellet still lodged in the boy’s hand.

Investigators said the 12-year-old sister was also abused, allegedly for “not cleaning right.”

The girl told detectives her mother “stomped on her stomach” and Cordero was allegedly spanked with a belt while her mother her down.

The girl said Cordero once bit her left toe.

Cordero and Rubio were booked into the Doa Ana County Detention Center. Each was charged three counts of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm; 10 counts of negligent child abuse; and two counts of intentional child abuse. Rubio is being held on a $1 million bond for Rubio. Cordero is being held without bond.

The children have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.