After a ruling by a district court judge, the City of  Rio Rancho Wednesday will release contested public records involving the death of a 2-year-old boy

The city had maintained that it did not have to release public records involving a Santa Fe police officer’s child in December, citing New Mexico Children’s Code protection used by the Children, Youth & Families Department.

The Santa Fe New Mexican and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government sued the city for the records, maintaining they are public and should be released. Among publications fighting for the open records was the Rio Rancho Observer.

Rio Rancho spokesman Peter Wells confirmed Tuesday that the records would be released Wednesday.

Lincoln Harman, the 2-year-old, was hit by a bullet that came from his father’s gun. The investigation revealed that the gun fired while being handled by Lincoln’s 4-year-old brother.

Judge James A. Noel ruled that the city’s defense was invalid and ordered the city to release the records and to pay attorney’s fees and costs related to the lawsuit.