No charges yet in Tierra Blanca Ranch case

It was a day that made headlines all over New Mexico and across the country when New Mexico State Police showed up with a search warrant at the Tierra Blanca Ranch in October 2013, checking on the welfare of children living there. A source alleged that many of the children had been abused. No one was there at the time, triggering an Amber Alert for nine boys who were later found safe. Almost 19 months later, the Children, Youth and Families Department still hasn't release much information. “I can really not release any information regarding what was found or what exactly occurred,” said Henry Varela, CYFD spokesman. Last year, the department made a one-year deal with Tierra Blanca to give CYFD access to any kids living there and set up rules for the ranch to follow. During its inspections, the agency said it never found any children there. In a statement, Tierra Blanca owner Scott Chandler said he's reached out to CYFD to renew that deal, but claims he hasn't gotten a response. The agency could not confirm that. Chandler maintains the ranch has done nothing wrong. He said the raid hurt Tierra Blanca's reputation and drew a lot of negative attention to New Mexico. The investigation into the abuse allegations is now in the hands of the Socorro County district attorney. No one has ever been charged. Tierra Blanca is still open and accepting applications for the summer.   KOAT-TV