Dedication Makes Child Molestation Case

Aug 10, 2008

"Unselfish dedication...a high standard of professional and personal ethics" are terms Public Safety Investigator Alton Brock used to describe the people that helped put all the pieces together for a child molestation arrest. "These are people who truly care for their fellow human beings." Investigator Brock declared.

Twenty one year old Santos Gomez Ortiz has been known to prey on young hispanic girls. In the past, Santos Ortiz has unscrupulously used the language barrier that exists in parts of the hispanic community to avoid being reported to authorities. Hopefully this ended on Wednesday with his arrest for child molestation.

On Monday at about 6 pm, a very concerned hispanic mother reported her daughter had not attended school that day and was missing. Speaking in very broken English, Public Safety Officer Collin Hastey was helped by Decatur County school employee Nancy Ruiz, who translated between the mother and officer.

Officer Hastey ascertained the 13 year old girl may have been taken by an older man. Investigator Brock stated that only through Officer Hastey's fortitude that this investigation began.

Now at the end of his shift, Officer Hastey worked four more hours on his own time, and a 16 hour day, to enter the missing girl's details into the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Decatur-Grady E911 then issued a "BOLO" (Be On the Look Out) for the missing girl.

On Tuesday morning, Decatur County Sheriff's Deputy Humberto Dean stepped into the equation. Deputy Dean began a search within the hispanic area where the girl lived, speaking with residents and gaining information. Deputy Dean and Officer Hastey maintained their communication throughout the day. They were assisted by Nancy Ruiz and Esther Gomez, both employed as translators with the Decatur County Board of Education.

Deputy Dean's exhaustive determination paid off at about 5 pm. He located the missing 13 year old girl and the suspect. He arrested Santos Ortiz. Investigator Brock praised the perseverance of Deputy Dean saying his efforts were crucial to helping make the child molestation case.

Investigator Alton Brock took over and quickly learned this was not a typical missing girl case. The legal issues of the case were complex and Investigator Brock turned to District Attorney Joe Mulholland. As details were sorted, DA Mulholland advised the investigator by phone late into the night.

On Wednesday, it all needed to come together. Investigator Brock utilized translators Anna Baker, Nancy Ruiz, and Esther Gomez who worked tirelessly through the day by his side. He pieced together the time line and the history that led to a man being charged with enticing a child for indecent purposes and child molestation.

Every arrest made for child molestation is typically a slow and painstaking process. Many man hours are required to put all the pieces in place to assure a conviction after an arrest is made. As far as that goes, this one was no different. Investigator Brock expressed his gratitude for the help from the Decatur County Sheriff's Department, Decatur County School System, the City of Bainbridge and the South Georgia Judicial Circuit.