The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office is working on a large sexual abuse case. As of Monday, Sheriff Travis Daugherty said, there was a single victim, but the investigators anticipate up to 15 more complaints being filed.
Several older incidents were initially reported to and looked into by OSBI, the now-defunct Canton Police Department and/or the Department of Human Services. Somehow the complaint ‘fell through the cracks,’ according to Daugherty.
A probable cause affidavit was issued April 8 on Santiago Flores Ruiz, alleging lewd or indecent acts with a child less than 16 years old.
The affidavit indicates a child reported that while she was on a sleepover in the Ruiz household, Santiago Ruiz touched her intimately through the blankets. When the child awakened, he left the room but returned a few minutes later. There were no other incidents reported at that time, but the 12-year-old called her mother to come pick her up as soon as Ruiz left the home.
The parent called the sheriff’s office and spoke to an investigator and a deputy. The victim underwent a forensic interview where she gave details of the incident. Ruiz was questioned and arrested. He was released on a $25,000 bond. His first appearance was April 18.
Anyone who believes they, their child or someone they know has been the victim of abuse is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office.
In other developments, last week the Blaine County Sheriff's Office and several other law enforcement agencies or members took part in a ‘train the trainer’ class where those participating drilled on active shooter scenarios.
“Now we are prepared to train others on how to respond to these events,” said Daugherty.
The week-long training, held at the Watonga Christian Church, was attended by members of the FBI, as well as law enforcement closer to home, such as Watonga PD. The FBI agent, Daugherty said, came from Portland, Ore. to train because classes filled so quickly in Oregon that the agent took the first available spot, which turned