Mother in police shooting case charged with abuse

By Dave Clark

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 | 5:40 p.m.

The mother of three children removed from a Seven Hills home where three police officers were shot Dec. 28 has been charged with abuse and neglect of those children.

The three children were originally ordered to be returned to their mother, Belinda Saavedra, pending her passage of a drug test and the certification of their Panorama Ridge Drive home as safe. However, Saavedra's attorney Vicki Greco said the district attorney's office had filed an objection, although Saavedra's drug test had been returned negative.

"The complaint stems from the fact that she didn't have a job and can't support the children, and she should have known what (resident Emmanuel Dozier) was allegedly involved in," Greco said. "She's not charged with physical abuse or malnourishment."

Meanwhile, the children remain at Child Haven, and Emmanuel Dozier's court appearance originally slated for Monday was postponed until 9 a.m. Wednesday. He is charged with three counts of attempted murder of a police officer and three counts of selling cocaine. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on more than $3 million bail.

Saavedra has two upcoming Family Court hearings: one at 9:30 Wednesday on the original recommendation and another at 10 a.m., Thursday on the abuse and neglect allegation.

Greco defended her client, noting the 12- and 13-year-olds were honor roll students, and the three-month old baby was fine as well.

"They were happy children," she said. "None of the reports suggested any drug charges with any type of knowledge on my client's behalf."

Metro Police Sgt. Charles Collingwood, officer James Causey and officer Patrick Ledbetter were wounded by gunfire during a raid of the home Dec. 28. All had been released from University Medical Center by Tuesday, police said. No further information about the officers was released.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].