KOAT news published June 30, 2026: Albuquerque family says daughter's abuse case mirrors recent Chaparral allegations.
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KOAT News, New Mexico local
written/reported by Jason McNabb
Wednesday July 1, 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Albuquerque family says their daughter's abuse case at Chaparral Elementary School in 2018 mirrors recent allegations involving other students at the same campus.
Khloe, who is preparing to start high school, but instead of being excited, she lives in fear.
"My biggest fear is probably, like, seeing him again," Khloe said.
Her parents, Erika and Alberto Lucero, said they first noticed changes in her behavior in 2018.
"We took Khloe swimming, and Khloe relayed to us that she was injured," Erika Lucero said. "And at that point, we just kind of asked her what happened. And that’s when she started talking more."
The family said Khloe told them and her doctor that a boy her age had been bullying her and following her into the bathroom.
Medical records reviewed by Target 7 show providers documented concerns about possible sexual abuse and referred Khloe for further evaluation. The family said a forensic exam was later performed.
After reporting the allegations, the Luceros said their experience with Albuquerque Public Schools and APS police quickly deteriorated.
"My daughter’s been treated like she’s the perpetrator in this situation, not the survivor," Erika Lucero said.
Khloe said the APS police investigator assigned to her case did not believe her.
"Every time I would tell him something, he would kind of just push it off and just act like nothing happened," Khloe said.
The family also alleges that evidence collected during the forensic exam was later lost.
"Countless phone calls, countless doors getting slammed in your face, countless sleepless nights," Erika Lucero said. "No one should ever, ever have to go through what Chloe went through."
To better understand how children disclose abuse, Target 7 spoke with Dr. Leslie Strickler, a child abuse pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Strickler said most child abuse cases come to light because of what a child says, not because of physical evidence.
"What is most common is that they do not disclose initially, meaning that in most cases of sexual abuse or assault in children and adults, people do not speak out about what has happened to them immediately for a number of reasons," Strickler said.
She added that children fabricating allegations of sexual abuse is "actually very, very rare."
After years of seeking answers, the Luceros said they are now focused on helping Khloe heal. They decided to come forward after seeing KOAT's recent reporting on another case at Chaparral Elementary.
In that case, 10 fourth-grade boys alleged abuse by a classmate. A report stated the boys may have been "consciously or unconsciously colluding" against the alleged classmate. The claims were not substantiated in the report, and an appeal has been filed.
That language struck a nerve with the Lucero family, who said they believe their daughter's case was also mishandled.
"I was upset because I feel like if they did what they were supposed to do, it might have not happened," Khloe said. "And I really hope these kids get the justice they need because nobody deserves to go through what I did."
Target 7 asked APS about Khloe's case and if they could provide an in-person interview or comment. They have not responded at the time of this reporting.
“The reason why she wanted to speak out is because this doesn’t deserve to happen to anybody else,” Alberto Lucero said.
If you or your family reported possible abuse or misconduct at an Albuquerque school, or have information relevant to this reporting, contact the Target 7 tipline at (505) 884 6347, or email at target7tips@koat.com
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