Delco Launches Child Abuse, Exploitation Task Force

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A new task force aimed at bolstering Delaware County's child abuse and exploitation cases.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced Wednesday the launch of a new Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force.

The Task Force has been created to ensure that all child abuse and child exploitation cases in Delaware County are handled consistently and thoroughly, by detectives, officers and attorneys with the specialized training and resources that such cases require.

"It is time that we bring the best training and resources that we possess to the investigation of cases involving the abuse and exploitation of children," Stollsteimer said.

Task Force members include Assistant District Attorneys from the DA's office, led by Chris Boggs; Chief of the Special Victims Unit Sergeant Ken Bellis, the head of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Sergeant Robin Clark, the lead detective from the Child Abuse Unit in the Criminal Investigative Division; and nine officers from municipal police departments throughout the County who have a demonstrated track record with this type of work.

"The officers have been selected to serve on this county-wide task force because of their demonstrated skill and dedication to protecting children in Delaware County," Stollsteimer said. "As the District Attorney and as a father, I can’t say enough about the men and women of law enforcement who do this most difficult work every day."

They will also collaborate with partners such as Children and Youth Services, Crozier, Women Against Rape, the Delaware County Child Advocacy Center, a program of the Family Support Line, Dr. June Elcock-Messam, M.D. of Media Pediatrics, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Task Force members were sworn in by President Judge Kelly on Monday, AuAG. 31.

Members have participated in an initial introductory training conducted by Crystal Gray, Hannah Fitzgerald, and Jovanni Velez, all from the Child Advocacy Center, Bellis, Assistant District Attorneys Boggs and Kristen Kemp, Josephine Parker from Children and Youth Services, and Candice Linehan, Assistant Director of Women Against Rape.

The Task Force is expected to meet monthly with a focus on training and collaboration.