ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – State and local officials are calling on New Mexicans to contact authorities if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected.
Gov. Susana Martinez was among those to issue the reminder Monday during a news conference in Albuquerque. She says reports of suspected abuse decline over the summer months when children are not in school.
Teachers are among those who most often report suspected abuse.
However, a ruling issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court earlier this year clarified a state statute that calls for “every person” to report abuse or neglect, not just those occupations spelled out by the law.
Child welfare officials say the state’s abuse and neglect hotline received more than 17,000 calls during the first five months of 2015. That’s on par with last year.
