NOT GOOD ENOUGH

A 7-year-old girl is rescued from apparent prostitution and abuse, causing readers to wonder how so many danger signs were overlooked

Don’t scapegoat CYFD workers

THE “OLIVER TWIST” reference (in the May 8 editorial about the alleged prostitution of a 7-year-old) misses the mark and reveals a deep ignorance of the current and, sadly, long-standing plight of children and families in our state. According to the 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Center — a project of the of the highly regarded Annie E. Casey Foundation — New Mexico ranks 49th out of 50 — for child well-being. Basic factors are considered when ranking a state: employment, income, housing, poverty, education, physical health (and) mental health. No one would be surprised to hear that our state has a tremendous drug problem, a mental health and drug treatment system that has been eviscerated and a failing economy. This governor is the last one who should be pointing fingers.

When Gov. (Susana) Martinez was first sworn into office in 2010, the Land of Enchantment ranked 46th in the KIDS COUNT project. Four years later, as she started her second term, we dropped to our current place of 49. Asking our illustrious governor to “get to the bottom” of this is, in the vernacular, laughable.

Blaming, shaming and scapegoating are not new “tools” employed to divert attention from the much deeper and more complicated issues that lead to child abuse and neglect. It is incomprehensible to me how the secretary, who has done much good work for CYFD, could blame her staff, in public and in the press. Even worse, she has done this prior to the completion of an internal investigation. Sounds like an internal investigation is a waste of taxpayer money.

We all get angry and disgusted with these cases. And we are all responsible. This administration does not stand alone or hold a monopoly over disgust, anger, or righteousness. CYFD workers are overworked, underpaid and expected to predict the future. Isn’t that enough? Forcing them to take the proverbial fall is not only above their pay scales, but it unveils a vacuous void in leadership. DEBORAH GRAY Albuquerque

Protective Services needs a boost

RE: TOO MANY young victims prove CYFD falling short Change, serious change, is needed. Having worked at CYFD for 34 years ending in 2014 I speak from experience. Having spoken with Secretary (Monique) Jacobson from the beginning of her time with CYFD I know she is sincere but; Gov. (Susana) Martinez wasted four years with Secretary Yolanda Dienes and six years with Jarod Rounsville (who) was director of (the Protective Services Division).

Too often new and so-called innovative resources are designated for Bernalillo County. The rest of the state receives little or nothing yet they continue to keep on keeping on. Too often Bernalillo County drives how Protective Services should be done. It is time to see and repeat the practice of PS in the other parts of state. It is time to place PS at the level and status of law enforcement and first responders. It’s time to focus on investigation of allegations of abuse and neglect as the primary job of PS CPS. The number of children entering custody has increased.

Gov. Martinez has failed to address the serious issues of drug addiction and child abuse/neglect. A survey of local hospitals would reveal that drug-affected/exposed babies is on the rise. It is time to place PS at the level it deserves. We will never prevent children from dying as a result of child abuse, sad to say. It is time to support all PS across the state. Wringing our hands and expressing sadness will not protect children. It is time to bring families and communities (together) to take responsibility. When children are hurt and or killed because of abuse or neglect it is the fault of the community, the local government, the state government and the governor. ROLAND TRUJILLO Santa Fe

Local TV news failed child victim

“HORRIFIC” AND “absolutely appalling” are words that only touch the surface of all that has gone through my heart these past few days. Appalling that a little girl could be prostituted by family and be a victim of human trafficking. Appalling that an X-rated world is the only childhood she has ever known. Appalling that there is a market for such hideous crimes. Appalling that she fell through the cracks for as long as she did.

But let us take a moment to step back. We’ve often heard that “it takes a village,” and our little village of Albuquerque pulled together on various levels, saving a child’s life. Albuquerque does not have another funeral or another Victoria Martens on its hands thanks to the investigative work of the Attorney General’s Office acting on tips given by concerned staff at the little girl’s school. A 7-year-old child, despite all the flaws in the system, despite (possible) inaction on the part of APD, or (possible) failure to investigate or remove the child from harm’s way on the part of CYFD, finally has hope for a loving family environment, an education and a childhood long overdue.

The investigations that need to take place appear to be underway; however, there is one area that is also in dire need of attention and I wish to address. In consideration for the respect I have for KOB, KOAT and KRQE, I would like to believe that no harm was intended, but their handling of the story was nevertheless unacceptable. Responsible journalism can and must use filters, as they are absolutely necessary to protect the identity of an innocent child who has been viewed as nothing more than “goods” for most of her life. More specifically, it is not difficult to put two and two together to make four. In identifying the perpetrator’s full name and relationship to the child, and in identifying the child’s school and age, our local media, with the exception of the Albuquerque Journal, have violated this child’s rights and exposed her once again. Is this what we call “protective custody”?

“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood that we all play a role in nurturing a just and moral society: parents, educators, law enforcement, and so many others, including the media. You are well-respected KOB, KOAT and KRQE. You have many strengths in your field, but have the integrity and the confidence, as well, to know that the thoroughness and quality of your journalism is not sacrificed in the least when you participate as one more essential member of that village that works painstakingly at protecting its children at all levels. MARILUZ MACHADO Albuquerque

CYFD shows startling incompetence

WE HAVE ALL heard the advice “If you see something, say something.” After reading the Journal story about a couple who had 25 referrals for child abuse from CYFD, my question is, say something to whom? It is quite obvious that CYFD is totally impotent when it comes to child abuse, either through not enough enforcement authority or employees who only care about “five o’clock and payday.”

And the quote listed from Secretary Monique Jacobson was ridiculous. “My concerns are that I don’t believe that we did enough to protect this little girl.” You think?! Did you do anything to protect this little girl, other than write up another report about being called again to check on her? What do CYFD employees do when they walk into a house, or in this case, a motel room, and find a 7-year-old girl who is (allegedly being prostituted). Is that so hard to observe that it takes 25 visits and the facts are still ignored? It didn’t take the school nurse 25 visits to figure the situation out.

And as for (suspects) Teri Sanchez and James Stewart, they would be the poster couple for a return to public flogging, along with all the “customers” who (allegedly) used this little girl. HARRY L. KERNS Albuquerque

Teachers face uphill struggle

ANOTHER EXAMPLE — how many are out there? — of how educators are held responsible for educating the problems of society. In a 6.5 hour day, teachers are “graded” on the performance of students. The latest headline of a family (allegedly) prostituting (a) 7-year-old only highlights the uphill struggle in our schools to “normalize” countless hours outside the school day. The teacher is obviously behind the 8-ball. Sad for all. MARY MILLS Albuquerque