Nevada Supreme Court rules social worker need not give Miranda warning

Saturday, May 27, 2006 | 7:38 a.m.

CARSON CITY - A social worker is not required to give a warning about self-incrimination when questioning a person accused of sexual assault of children in certain instances, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled.

On Thursday, the court upheld the conviction of Inmer Mejia, found guilty of seven counts of lewdness with a minor and one count of sexual assault with a minor in Las Vegas.

In his appeal, Mejia contended that Natalie Guesman, who works for Child Protective Services, should have given him a so-called Miranda warning before she questioned him about his actions.

Mejia was married in 2003 and moved in with his new wife, who had two daughters, 13 and 12, from a prior marriage. Within a month, he was accused of molesting both girls, the court said.

Guesman spoke with Mejia twice during her investigation, and the second time, he admitted touching one of the girls inappropriately.

The children were removed from the home until Mejia could find another place to live.

Mejia received a life term with parole eligibility after 20 years.