Monongalia County Tackles Justice System Challenges with Two Key Hires

In a bid to tackle prevalent issues within the justice system, Monongalia County, West Virginia, has welcomed two significant additions to its prosecutor's office. Larry Hasley and Samantha Elkins have been introduced, with roles aimed at mitigating the backlog of untested sexual assault kits and the surge in child abuse and neglect cases, respectively.

Addressing the Backlog of Untested Sexual Assault Kits

Hasley has been engaged as the coordinator for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. His primary function will involve managing the collections and processing of rape kits. This strategic hiring comes in response to the substantial backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits, a problem that currently haunts the entire nation. To improve the handling of these kits, West Virginia has enacted legislation obliging healthcare providers to dispatch them to the Marshall University Forensic Science Center within a 30-day window, irrespective of whether a sexual assault has been reported to law enforcement or not. The untested kits are stored for two years before being marked inactive for training purposes. However, they can still be processed if a case is pursued later, provided they haven't been utilized for training.

Responding to the Surge in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

Elkins, on the other hand, has assumed the position of an assistant prosecuting attorney with a specific focus on child abuse and neglect cases. Mon County has witnessed an alarming rise in such cases, from 13 in 2000 to a staggering 227 by the close of 2023. This escalation is largely attributed to the opioid and drug crisis impacting families in the region.

Key Hires Reflect Societal Challenges

The roles of Hasley and Elkins are discerned as crucial to the county's endeavors to enhance its handling of sexual assault and child welfare cases. They stand as a reflection of the unfortunate necessity for such positions, sparked by societal challenges. It is hoped that their efforts will bring about a tangible change in the justice system, addressing and overcoming the issues that have necessitated their appointment.