Last year, during a search warrant operation at a suspected drug residence in Corpus Christi, Supervisor Mike Tamez of the Nueces County District Attorney’s Criminal Interdiction Unit encountered a poignant aspect of his role. Officers carried a 5-year-old child out of the house while a couple was escorted away in handcuffs. Crystal methamphetamine was discovered in clear view on the dining table.
Subsequently, an 8-year-old girl in the residence tested positive for methamphetamine in her system.
“The most significant danger is the potential for these children to overdose and lose their lives,” Tamez expressed.
For this reason, the county has initiated collaboration with the nearby Child Protective Services office. The aim is to ensure swift access to necessary assistance for children in such severe circumstances. As a parent, Tamez finds it distressing to witness children becoming entangled in the consequences of their parents’ criminal actions.
“Do I believe that the parents engaged in drug selling intend harm to their children? Not. However, a child lacks this understanding and might perceive substances like black tar heroin as mere candy,” he remarked.
He emphasized that the collaboration streamlines the procedure to remove children from hazardous circumstances swiftly.
“As we prepare to execute a raid on a house, we proactively inform their specialized investigators and law enforcement division. Simultaneously, we alert their caseworkers. This way, the process is set in motion even before we arrive at the location,” he explained.
“Consequently, upon raiding the house and encountering children, CPS promptly assumes control and initiates the necessary procedures for the child’s well-being.”
Tamez highlights the significant advantage of this approach, as CPS agents frequently notice aspects that his team might overlook.
“The CPS caseworker requested that we let the child down to observe if they could walk. Our officers carried the child out of the house, and I asked, ‘Why is it necessary to check if the child can walk?” The response was due to the potential exposure to drugs, he explained.
Collaborations like these hold significance, given that CPS received nearly 300 calls concerning children for diverse reasons during July.
“We must establish a strong working rapport with law enforcement and all our associated entities. This entails comprehending each other’s responsibilities. The quicker we engage, the more advantageous it is for everyone concerned,” emphasized John Lennan, Department of Family and Protective Services spokesperson. He mentioned that the priority lies in prioritizing the well-being of the children and their families through the services provided by his office.
“Our responsibility is to guarantee the safety of the children. Are they receiving proper care at the present moment? Have suitable alternative arrangements been made when their current caregivers cannot look after them? If not, does this imply that the children must be placed under state care?” explained Lennan.
While Lennan emphasizes that CPS workers are focused on civil investigation rather than criminal investigation, Tamez underscored that the collaboration acts as a force multiplier.
“The advantage of involving CPS now is that we can potentially create a stronger impact by conveying the message — if you engage in drug dealing within this county, particularly with children in the household, your concerns will extend beyond drugs; the removal of children from the residence becomes an additional consequence,” he commented.