A state lawmaker introduced a bill that would allow judges to punish those who commit sexual abuse against a child regardless of the date the crime was committed.
Assemblyman David Ruvalcaba, a Tijuana member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, recalled three recent cases in which children were victims of sexual abuse by their stepfathers.
One of them was Diana Mía, the 8-month-old baby that was raped.
The victims report abnormal behavior during the rest of their lives that impact their education and relationships with others, he said.
“Considering we must address children’s superior interest it is our obligation to make sure children and teenagers live in a safe environment,” Ruvalcaba said. “In this context, this bill provides children protection by allowing punitive action and restoration of impacted human rights.”
Last year, the state recorded 2,328 claims of sex crimes, of which 687 were sexual abuse cases.
So far, this year 1,049 claims have been filed by victims, of which 307 were rape cases.
Ruvalcaba said there are other cases which have remained uncovered as victims are threatened by suspects.
Spotted rocky mountain fever dead toll increases
A state official said the number of fatalities due to the spotted rocky mountain fever increased to nine in recent days.
State Epidemiology Chief Néstor Hernández said 27 cases have been confirmed since January with the illness also known as rickettsia.
As of this date last year, he said, the state had 66 confirmed cases and 18 fatalities.
Hernández asked residents to take showers on a daily basis and keep homes clean, as well as vaccinate and delouse pets.
He recalled the illness is transmitted by ticks so for families it is vital to fumigate residences.
Rickettsia symptoms are fever over 102 degrees, headache and muscle pain.
Residents who might fear infection must go immediately to the doctor and avoid self-medication.
Hundreds of arrests made in July
The Attorney General’s office said 246 suspects with arrest warrants were apprehended last month with help provided by Mexicali police officers and troopers with the state Secretary of Public Safety.
Assistant Attorney General in Mexicali Fernando Ramírez said 70 of those suspects arrested had arrest warrants in the old penal system for crimes like drug possession, robbery, fraud and child support payment violations.
The official said 36 of the suspects arrested were made by agents with the Robbery Unit, 35 from the Carjacking Unit, 28 by the Eastern Commanding Center, 25 by the Western Commanding Center, 9 by the Sex Crimes Unit and the rest from other units and in Mexicali Valley.
