Senators demand answers as FBI child sex crimes cases find gross negligence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A U.S. senator from Missouri led a group of colleagues to question the director of the FBI about gross negligence found in the investigation of child sex abuse cases.

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) announced on Friday, Oct. 4, that he, along with ten of his colleagues, recently wrote a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray about the recent handling probe the authority has written cases involving child sexual abuse.

“At a time of historically low trust in American institutions, the FBI continues to undermine its own credibility in protecting our children from predators who seek to harm them. “It is not only outrageous, but unacceptable that the FBI continues to fail the victims of sexual predators,” said Senator Schmitt. “These victims deserve justice. The FBI must answer questions and make changes in the coming days and months.”

The report by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General found gross negligence in four critical areas: reporting suspected child abuse, victim care, case handover between field officers, and timely response to allegations of active abuse.

In approximately 47% of the cases reviewed by the FBI, the audit found that employees failed to comply with mandatory reporting requirements to state and local authorities. For social services, this number rose to 50%. Only around 43% of the mandatory reports checked were made within the prescribed 24-hour period – only 17% of the reports were fully documented.

Schmitt said he asked director Wray why those numbers were so high. The questions ranged from monetary freezes to personnel transfers and disciplinary measures. The senators are now waiting for an answer.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.