Facility Watchlist: Sandhill Center

Claims Made on the Sandhill Center Webpage

What Is Sandhill Center?

Sandhill Center, located in Los Lunas, New Mexico, was established in 2004 by Linda Zimmerman, M.A., LPCC, who has over 40 years of experience working with children and families. The center was created to address challenges related to childhood attachment and basic trust, drawing from Zimmerman's extensive background in mental health. Situated on a six-acre property approximately 20 miles south of Albuquerque, the center provides a residential treatment program for children aged 8 to 13. It employs a neuroregulatory approach grounded in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry.

Why Is It On Our Watchlist?

While Sandhill Center has not yet been exposed publically, and has no pending investigations, patients report regular abuse, neglect, and cruel/unusual punishments.

Former patients of Sandhill Center in Los Lunas, NM, report a deeply troubling reality hidden behind the facility’s promises of therapeutic care.

Rules are often unclear upon admission and changed arbitrarily, allowing staff to punish children at will.

Punishments are severe. One particularly cruel practice, patients called "Private Pyle," forces children to run in circles around the horse corral until they collapse from exhaustion. Sunday mornings are spent shoveling manure as yet another form of 'discipline'.

Restraints, painful and excessive, are common, used not just for violent outbursts but for minor infractions like crying. Consoling a peer during an episode of mistreatment could result in being forcibly restrained as well. Any show of solidarity or empathy is met with force.

Basic rights are tightly controlled. Patients have to request permission for everything, including using the restroom or getting water. Even then, bathroom access is often monitored, robbing patients of privacy.

For the first month, children are required to stay within arm’s length of staff at all times, regardless of the situation.

Staff operates on the assumption that every child is manipulative and deceitful, withholding even the smallest amount of trust.

Communication with the outside world is restricted. Patients can not make calls and have to rely on their parents to reach them. If they are in danger, there is no way to seek help. Contacting emergency or legal services is strictly forbidden.

For many, Sandhill Center was not a place of healing but of fear and control. These stories are not isolated incidents—they are the voices of those who endured the facility’s abuse.

What Can You Do?

If you or someone you love is experiencing or witnessing abuse in a facility like Sandhill Center in New Mexico, you should take immediate action to ensure safety. The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) is the primary agency for reporting child abuse or neglect. Concerns can be reported by calling the Statewide Central Intake (SCI) child abuse hotline at 1-855-333-SAFE (7233) or dialing #SAFE from a cell phone, both available 24/7. Additionally, local law enforcement can be contacted to report abuse, as they are mandated to investigate such claims.

For cases involving neglect or mistreatment in residential facilities, individuals can also reach out to the New Mexico Department of Health at 1-800-752-8649, which oversees health and safety regulations in care facilities.

When making a report, it is important to provide detailed information, including descriptions of the abuse, individuals involved, and any supporting evidence. Taking action not only protects those currently at risk but also helps prevent future mistreatment. If a person inside such a facility has restricted communication, they should document incidents when possible and attempt to alert a trusted adult, advocate, or visitor. Reporting abuse is a crucial step toward holding these facilities accountable and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.