Thread: AR: Immigration Deports Juvenile Rapist, Family

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/ ... deport.txt

Immigration Deports Juvenile Rapist, Family
This article was published on Thursday, December 28, 2006 10:05 PM CST in News
By Robin Mero
The Morning News

BENTONVILLE -- Immigration officials deported a 12-year-old convicted rapist from Rogers and his family Thursday after school officials expressed concern about the boy being in school to 3rd District Rep John Boozman, R-Rogers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Rogers police raided a Rogers apartment early Thursday, taking into custody the boy, his three siblings and two parents. Three family members were hiding in the attic, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said.

"This was an egregious crime committed by an undocumented person and has involved the resources of many agencies. It's very sobering when these issues are manifested in juveniles," Womack said.

The boy pleaded guilty in November before Benton County Circuit Judge Jay Finch to raping an 8-year-old relative at the family's home in August. The boy was age 11 when the rape occurred.

The Morning News' policy is not to print the names of children convicted of crimes, and immigration officials did not release the name of the boy or his family.

School offices were closed for the holiday, and Rogers Superintendent Janie Darr couldn't be reached for comment. Boozman said Thursday he visited the district last week and Darr told him about a student convicted of rape, but not on school grounds, so officials were concerned about expelling him. She also mentioned the student appeared to be an illegal immigrant, Boozman said.
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Boozman, who served seven years on the Rogers School Board, said he immediately looked into the situation and asked immigration officials about the family's status.

"My way of thinking is, you always err with the safety of the children," Boozman said. "I asked Immigration what was going on, and they got involved. That's what my office is here for, to help you -- whether you're a superintendent or a man on the street."

Immigration has been a heated topic in Rogers since Womack requested last month six city police officers be trained and certified through Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The program grants state and local law enforcement authority to identify and detain illegal immigrants.

Womack has said illegal immigrants are responsible for nearly half of "the worst of the worst" drug crimes in Rogers.

Some immigrant advocates have submitted letters opposing the proposal, while others, including Boozman, have written letters in support.

Van Stone, chief deputy prosecutor, said Finch sentenced the boy to two years of probation and ordered him to undergo psychosexual screening, risk assessment and outpatient treatment. A boy that age could not be charged as an adult, even under Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction laws, Stone said.

Finch said Thursday he can't address specific cases but children who are illegal immigrants aren't eligible for Medicaid and often can't afford inpatient treatment programs for sex offenders.

While cases are pending, juveniles are released under strict conditions, Finch said.

"In many ways, the conditions are more stringent than what we impose on adults," Finch said.

Prosecutors recommend a safety plan requiring parents to inform other adults of a child's charge. Sexual assault cases involving family members require parents control the child's exposure to others in the home.

Juvenile Probation is authorized to notify a school after a conviction, said Petie Cobb, supervisor of the Benton County Juvenile Probation Office.

However, with an allegation involving child maltreatment, the Department of Health and Human Services must determine the validity of the claim and, if it's substantiated, inform a school counselor of names and relationships. This investigation is done immediately -- separate from any court action -- and must be reported to the school within 10 business days.

The Arkansas Crimes Against Children division of the Arkansas State Police contracts with the department to investigate the allegations, said Bill Sadler, state police spokesman. Either the department or the state police send a form to the school, but that form is part of a sealed file. He wouldn't confirm whether a notice was sent in the case of the 12-year-old boy.

Julie Thompson, media representative of the Arkansas Department of Education, provided documents Thursday showing a student can be refused enrollment if he or she has been convicted of a felony and the district has implemented a related policy.

However, the laws governing expulsion are limited to acts committed on school grounds or during school hours.

I would think it would be prudent to have schools not enroll convicted juvenile felons. Duh These people are idiots, the most obvious things are shoved under the rug at the expense of our children. Nevermind their rights our children are citizens and their rights come first. These illegal aliens have no rights in this country.

Just another example of the criminals coming across the border, and what makes this even more concerning is that it is close to our children.