Sex crimes are some of the most disturbing crimes committed in a civilized society. When that crime is perpetrated against a child the offense is particularly heinous. For that reason, police departments across the country have created specialized units whose primary function is to find these perpetrators and put them in prison.
In Albuquerque, the unit charged with protecting children from sexual predators is the Crimes Against Children Unit.
Our Eyes tell us about a recent case where a 4 year old and a 7 year old were allegedly being molested over a period of years by a family friend who had been babysitting the pair pretty much all of their young lives. The allegations came to light in early July and the parents of the children did what parents should do - they reported the 40 something babysitter to the authorities.
The case was referred to the Crimes Against Children unit who - following procedure - interviewed the children in a safe house to determine the veracity of the children's story. In addition, the detectives obtained a restraining order the required the babysitter to stay away from the children.
At that point the parents believed that the case was progressing and that something would be done about the sexual predator that they believe molested their child. However, this is where the story ends or at least the official investigation.
Our Eyes tell us that APD detectives stopped returning phone calls seeking to determine the status of the investigation. After repeated attempts, the frustrated parents went up the chain of command to the sergeant in charge. On the second phone call they were told that since there was no penetration involved, the case was not a priority.
We find that attitude more than a little disturbing. Pedophiles are among the most dangerous of sexual predators. More importantly, they are among the least likely to ever be rehabilitated. The attitude that repeated molestation over a period of seven years isn't a priority is simply appalling.
The Crimes Against Children unit has a duty to investigate every allegation of criminal sexual behavior against children no matter how small - today's molester is tomorrow's rapist. Failing to prosecute molesters simply because there's no penetration not only fails the victims in this case but places other children at risk.
----- Correction -----
Seems that our typos are showing... We initially entitled this post Distrubing Attitude. What we meant was Disturbing Attitude. Oops! It has been corrected above.
21 comments:
The truth is, you can be mentally unstable in New Mexico and until someone dies, there are no laws to assist you either. Nothing will be done except that a dangerous criminal ends up in a mental hospital. Still, no legislation will be introduced to aid the victims, or the offender of a violent crime until an offence has been made. Ironically the focus of our government concerning DWI control is similar. The “highway death” stats seem to remain the same (if you use the same annual measuring stick to take the measurement) yet many become victims of the “Police State” because of only a few criminals. It’s similar to mommy telling junior they were bad when they weren’t bad children at all. When was the last time there was a SAFETY meeting to re-evaluate some of these items, and to re-allocate our tax dollars where it could be better spent?
That's so very sad, those Det's should be kicked out of that unit. what if it were their children. I'll bet they would have a different attitude. Who where the Det's?
The cops don't make the laws.
lazy lazy lazy. how pathetic and what a disgrace. those children, and the parents of those children deserve so much better. the case should already of gone through to grand jury, get this animal out of the public, if at least for a little bit of time.
the sgt and the detective should be punished. this family should go to IA. You never tell someone its not a priority, to them it is. How about something along the lines of let me see where the case is going and Ill call you right back, and then inform the parents of the timeline you want with the case.
Field officers have to submit a case within 10 days to District Attorneys, detectives have their own set of rules.
.... cops don't always follow the laws either
Interestin ; how many folks assifned to the unit, divided by total case load. Then triage the cases by degree of offense of crime. After all that see if there really was a way to get to this sooner. I'm betting there wasn't but it might be interesting to see if your 'eyes' can pull those stats for ya
The pedophile is probably a federally protected witness/informant and the detectives were told to back off. It's happened before..ask Marcantel, Roy Dennis, Matt Thomas, JOE BOWDICH(ex sheriff) at BCSO and the DEA..they can tell you EXACTLY how to try protect one from prosecution. Fortunately, they failed and were caught with THEIR pants down...OH Yeah..and DARREN WHITE PROMOTES MARCANTEL AND THOMAS..now they are up for CAPTAINS positions. Go figure..Regardless, you NEVER EVER throw a child to the wolves..
No penetration? Not yet....
Who the hell cares if there's no penetration involved? For a supervisor to say that to a victim is not just wrong, it's dereliction of duty. This seargent clearly needs some training--he obvioulsy shouldn't be working in CAC. So now we are classifying suspects by degree of dangerousness? "He didn't penetrate the child, so he's a priority 3". What a crock. Child molesters are the most dangerous people out there, and should be the HIGHEST PRIORITY, regardless of whether or not penetration occurred. These parents, and more importantly, THESE KIDS deserve better. Way to go EYE, this is the kind of truth that needs to be exposed around here!
Hum....."Heather Hindi Chavez" works this department if memory serves me correct. How is she going to help prosecute a child molester when she helps out a murderer?
Wow? looking at this Web Page I can only come to one conclusion. This is a page by disgruntled police officers, for disgruntled police officers, about disgruntled police officers. Checking the topics it is apparent. Story on County building 4 comments, story on Leaning White 4 comments, story on county commission 5 comments.... story on anything APD, 95 comments, 65 comments, 48 comments. Geez if this all about APD Cops call it what it is. Otherwise all you Cops get your own web page so we can get back on topic.
Comment about Heather was not needed, here we go again putting down our own.
You know, if the 5th floor would improve morale, maybe the attitudes of the officer's would not be so bad! However, this 5th floor does not care about its officers, only themselves.
FEW POSTS UP. ARE YOU CRAZY, LEAVE YOUR NAME AND YOU BECOME A TARGET FOR THE CHIEF'S OFFICE. THESE GUYS WILL COME AT YOU WITH EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SILENCE YOU FROM TELLING WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THE DEPT! LOOK AT POOR SGT HEH AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT HAVE SPOKEN OUT!
QUIT TRYING TO STOP THE ONLY VENTING PROCESS THE OFFICERS HAVE! VERY APPARENT YOU ARE FROM THE 5TH FLOOR, AS IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THEIR TACTICS! THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN FREE SPEACH.
Off topic, sorry -
But a recent research study shows the red light scameras do nothing but enrich municipalities.
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/08/red_light_camer.html
Thought you might be interested.
Why is it almighty Eye doesn't post all the comments? It seems that alot of comments directed toward the eye are ommited. It appears maybe the "eye" is only posting comments that support the crazy ideas they have. Alot of comments opposing them go no where.
Why is the above poster still posting if "the eye" upsets him so much
Because he is a DC with no life!
As a professional in the field of child abuse, I have had the pleasure of working with Detectives and social workers investigating crimes against children. I have found them to be dedicated, hard-working and compassionate. Most Detectives in the crimes against children field have huge case loads of abuse allegations to investigate. So, yes, they do have to prioritize their cases - where a child is being raped in their home by the father, stepfather, mom's boyfriend, etc. does take priority over a child was sexually abused by someone who does not live with them and the parents are keeping the child safe. Setting priorities over cases does not mean every case in not important; just that some children are in more immediate danger than other children who are being protected by their parents, not abused by them.
Just saw Heather Hindi on "COPS", man she is a hottie. Anyone have a recent pic of her
APD is a bunch of bologna. I have been trying to report a crime against a 4 year old girl for 12 days. Ive been to several substations multiple times. I have left message after message and NO reply. CYFD is from the same CHUB OF BOLOGNA.WORTHLESS both of these departments. Wheres the justice for this 4 year old?
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