An Albuquerque family is speaking out about their daughter’s abuse case at Chaparral Elementary School in 2018, claiming that school officials mishandled the situation. The family, who wishes to remain anonymous, says their daughter, Khloe, was bullied and followed into the bathroom by a boy her age.
Investigation and Response
According to the family, Khloe’s doctor documented concerns about possible sexual abuse and referred her for further evaluation. A forensic exam was later performed, but the family alleges that evidence collected during the exam was lost. The family also claims that the APS police investigator assigned to the case did not believe Khloe’s story.
The family’s experience with Albuquerque Public Schools and APS police quickly deteriorated, with the family feeling that their daughter was treated like the perpetrator, not the survivor. The family is now focused on helping Khloe heal and is speaking out to raise awareness about the importance of proper handling of abuse cases.
Recent Allegations
The family’s story comes amid recent allegations of abuse at Chaparral Elementary, where 10 fourth-grade boys alleged abuse by a classmate. The family believes that their daughter’s case was also mishandled and that the recent allegations are a sign of a larger problem.
Dr. Leslie Strickler, a child abuse pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, says that most child abuse cases come to light because of what a child says, not because of physical evidence. Strickler also notes that children fabricating allegations of sexual abuse is very rare.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
