Editor’s note: Following is a press release sent by District Attorney Jeff Hunt following a meeting held Tuesday, April 26 with Polk County officials regarding a Polk County Child Protection Team Report:
District Attorney Jeff Hunt and Assistant District Attorney Doug Mundy met Tuesday with representatives from the Polk County Department of Social Services, the Chief Deputy of Sheriff Donald Hill’s office, Commissioner Renee McDermott, and County Manager Ryan Whitson. Hunt requested the meeting to discuss investigating and prosecuting Polk County cases involving children victims.
Recently the board of commissioners received a DSS annual report which included an assertion which raised a question about criminal prosecutions of child abuse or neglect cases.  District Attorney Hunt pointed out his surprise that neither the DSS nor the County Commission communicated with his office, or with him, before the DSS report was issued, or the majority members of the county commission were set to entertain a resolution which (in turn) re-stated the assertion in the DSS report.
This particular meeting arose as a result of an unusual and quite unique process involving this county commission. However, cases of abuse or neglect of children and violence against women are high priority in my office and have been from the beginning.  Consequently, I quickly decided to seek a meeting as soon as possible. Clearly the sheriff, DSS and county commission share our philosophy of prioritizing these important cases.  I believe we had a productive discussion. It never hurts to get everyone involved back on track and once again on the same wave length.  Thanks to county manager Whitson for helping to get us together for this meeting.