Six Questions for Lisa Teele

Tiffany Brown

As Metro Police’s supervisor of the Child Abuse and Neglect Detail, Lisa Teele says the sluggish economy has contributed to “a rough summer” for children.

By Joe Schoenmann (contact)

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 | 2 a.m.

With the Las Vegas economy ebbing, and people losing homes and jobs, some parents are losing their cool.

Lisa Teele, a civilian supervisor with Metro’s Child Abuse and Neglect Detail, said it’s been “a rough summer.” With eight investigators, the detail has handled 850 cases this year. It investigates allegations of abuse of anyone younger than 18.

Teele, who holds a master’s degree in social work, has been with the detail for nine years.

What are you starting to see out there?

I can see our cases slowly increasing, a little in numbers, but more in magnitude, seriousness. I’m seeing an increase in trauma-related cases of children under age 5. We’ve seen 50 child deaths this year.

What constitutes a more serious child abuse case?

This month alone, we’ve had two cases of shaken baby syndrome, which is when a child is shaken so severely it can lead to neurological damage, bleeding in the eyes.

How do you find out about this kind of abuse?

Through the community, Child Protective Services, parents, family members, teachers, educators, people who work in day-care centers, hospitals.

When officers investigate, do they find parents remorseful?

Every case is different. No one wakes up in the morning and says, “OK, today is going to be the day that I’m going to kill my child,” or “Today is the day I’m going to hurt my child.” Child abuse is something that happens instantaneously due to some triggering mechanisms. So we urge people who have small children that it’s important to understand what their limit is. And to know there is relief and support out here.

Do you try to find officers without children, less likely to become emotionally involved?

Not necessarily. I have a child myself. I think that there can be an understanding from those who have children that can help during an interview. And we want people who have a heart for the job.

Is it a bad economy that leads to this kind of abuse?

The increase has to do with our economy and pressures from that. However, I want to commend the community, because it is being far more diligent as far as reporting abuses. They’re being the voice for the children.