The state Court of Appeals has limited who's required in New Mexico to report suspected child abuse and neglect but the decision is drawing opposition from unlikely allies, Democratic Attorney General Gary King and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who are facing off in next year's gubernatorial race.
King's office said it will ask the state Supreme Court to overturn the ruling this week by the Appeals Court in a case involving a man charged with sexually abusing his daughter.
A divided Appeals Court ruled that only 10 categories of people listed in state law, including teachers and doctors, are required to report suspected child abuse to authorities despite the law saying that duty is placed on "every person" with a responsible suspicion a child is being abused or neglected.
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