This case study brings to light a unique case of child sexual exploitation, obstruction of justice, and chronic child neglect that occurred over a period of years in Indianapolis. Learn how two girls were repeatedly molested by their mother’s boyfriend, whose primary form of abuse involved the offender’s foot fetish. The case unfolded when the oldest child discovered that her abuser was recording her, and acting as the first detective on the case, documented evidence of her own abuse. Attendees will learn how police investigated this case, addressed legal challenges to the charges filed, and how they found evidence despite obstructive efforts by the victims’ mother. Gain useful information about writing search warrants for locations other than the offender’s home and person to gather evidence of the sexual abuse, the offender's intent, and the conspiracy to hide evidence from police. The presentation will draw attention to the importance of prosecuting both the offender and the accomplice, and the delicate timing decisions that had to be made in order to preserve the victims’ cooperation as well as to ensure community safety.
Learning Objectives:
Learn ways to gather evidence when the perpetrator has hidden his primary device
Recognize the prevalence of polyvictimization and the role of the forensic interview in uncovering evidence of multiple forms of abuse and neglect
Formulate ways to build cooperation between police, child protection, law enforcement and victim advocates to achieve consensus regarding difficult case decisions
