STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN ALBUQUERQUE. THIS FOLLOWS THE CHILD ABUSE CASE IN WHICH A SEVEN YEAR OLD WAS PROSTITUTED FOR DRUGS BY HER MOTHER TERI SANCHEZ AND JAMES STEWART.
POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL GEIER SAYS THE CHANGES WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES AND DIRECTIONS FOR OFFICERS WHO DEAL WITH ABUSE CASES. OFFICERS AND NEW CADETS WILL NOW BE TRAINED … AMONG OTHER THINGS … TO GATHER AND RETAIN ALL POTENTIAL CRIME EVIDENCE IN A CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT CASE … TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE ON-CALL DETECTIVE OR SUPERVISOR … TO COLLECT ALL EVIDENCE AND RELATED ITEMS WHETHER THE LOCATION IS DEEMED A CRIME SCENE OR NOT … AND TO CONTACT THE REAL TIME CRIME CENTER.
