New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has directed a state agency to help counties establish teams of prosecutors, law enforcement, medical professionals and children's advocates for investigating child abuse cases.
The governor said Wednesday that 11 of the state's 33 counties already have the multidisciplinary teams and the Children, Youth and Families Department is to help local governments create more across the state.
Martinez was a prosecutor in Dona Ana County before her election as governor.
She said a team approach to child abuse cases ensures they are resolved in the best interests of the child as well being handled efficiently. The governor spoke at a conference in Albuquerque attended by team members who deal with child abuse cases and representatives from counties interested in establishing such a system.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.