Police Plan to Monitor Allegations

By Veronica Rocha
Glendale News-Pressi
February 8, 2013

http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2013-02-08/news/tn-gnp-0208-police-plan-to-monitor-allegations_1_abuse-allegations-abuse-claims-personnel-files

Investigations into sex abuse claims could be hampered by the statute of limitations, officials say.

Local police officials say the statute of limitations could confound any new investigations into priest sex abuse revelations contained in a trove of documents released recently by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese since many of the allegations are decades old.

Local police didn't immediately uncover any sex abuse reports lodged against priests named in the files, but officials said they would investigate any claims that arise. Still, investigating the cases can pose a challenge since police are limited by penal codes that take into account when the crime occurred, what was committed and when it was reported.

“Due to the delay of any allegations coming to the attention of law enforcement authorities, there are complications involving the statute of limitations and any investigation of the related crimes,” Burbank police spokesman Sgt. Darin Ryburn said.

Contact: veronica.rocha@latimes.com