Police launch internal investigation into Glover case
Published: March 10, 2009
Updated: March 10, 2009
In response to the recent media coverage regarding the death of Alexis Glover, the Prince William County Police Department would like to convey the following information:
This is a tragic case, and the Police Department takes the death and related reports of abuse and neglect of Alexis Glover very seriously. The entire incident is a complex investigation involving multiple agencies, and is currently under active criminal investigation.
“I have directed a comprehensive review of all police actions, policies, and procedures related to this case,” said Chief Charlie T. Deane. “The review will encompass how the Department can better recognize situations of children in extreme need and to equip our officers with additional approaches and resources to assist in these types of cases. As part of this process, we have reached out to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for assistance. The National Center’s expertise in helping law enforcement work with parents and children in times of need is recognized throughout the country.”
The Prince William County Police Department will issue updates to the media and community as they become available.
- Reporters are currently developing this story. Stay with InsideNoVA.com.
Reader Reactions
In their statement, two months after Lexie’s murder, the police say, The Police Department takes the death and related reports of abuse and neglect of Alexis Glover very seriously.“
No, you didn’t take them seriously. If you had taken them seriously, Lexie would be alive today, and would have been spared unimaginable suffering. Do you still not get it?
Removing that child from a horrific situation is what any decent men and women would have done. What is particularly reprehensbile in the case of the police is that is their JOB. Does “Serve and Protect” sound familiar?
Now the police are merely circling the wagons because of the Post’s dogged pursuit of this story. Certainly no credit goes the Manassas Journal Messenger, whose January 17 editorial betrayed the same callousness that the police have displayed. I sent a letter to the editor about that odious editorial at the time, but of course the paper didn’t have the guts to publish it. I guess they’ve been too busy covering adolescent haunted-house stories.
Correction: the date of the incident was December 2, not December 23.
The police did nothing wrong? You’ve got to be kidding me. Time after time, they turned their back on this suffering child.
To take just the December 23 incident, when the police took Lexie to the hospital to have a gash in her head treated: if Lexie had been an adult, that monster of a mother would have been arrested for assault on the spot; and if Lexie had been a dog or cat, the monster would have been arrested for cruelty to animals. But it was Lexie’s misfortune to be a child, so the police turned her back to her known tormentor and eventual murderer. That’s depraved indifference to human life.
And they still don’t give a hoot about that child’s life. The only reason they’re stirring their butts a little bit now, after Lexie’s been dead for two months, is thanks to the Washington Post’s doggedness and the public outcry. In short, their interest is in themselves.
By law, the Department of Social Services and the Child Protective Services Unit cannot comment any allegation or investigation, founded or unfounded. Also the records of these investigations are always sealed, so the child’s mother and her attorneys can basically say whatever they want and DSS cannot respond, even in defense of completely false accusations and information being presented to the press and public. All in all, it is a very sad case.
I also don’t think the police did anything wrong- a child was missing and they organized a search and rescue effort for her. I don’t really think their investigation into changing procedures should signify or indicate any wrongdoing on their part.
I am pleased that the police department is re-evaluating its procedures and standards.
It’s too bad it took a tragedy to elicit this kind of action, however.
This is such a tragic case for Prince William County. I am glad the police are looking into their policies and procedures but I would also like to know what Child Protective Services has to say regarding this case.
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