Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The state will pay nearly $2 million to settle yet another claim that the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department failed to protect a child in New Mexico. Two-year-old Diana McGrory was beaten to death by her father, Michael Garcia at a mobile home park off San Pedro Drive and San Antonio Drive in 2021. The guardian of the surviving children and the man representing Diana’s estate filed the lawsuit, claiming police told CYFD not to place Diana or her siblings with Garcia, pointing to his history of crime and domestic violence and an outstanding warrant. Michael Garcia pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse charges, while his mother, Diana Garcia, also pleaded guilty in the case to child abandonment charges.
