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Wednesday News Roundup: Sick Immigrant Kids Reportedly Not Getting Meds

Sick Immigrant Kids Reportedly Not Getting Meds - The Associated Press

Immigration advocates who were allowed to visit a New Mexico detention center say women there are complaining that children aren't getting proper medical care and people are being deported before they can see a lawyer.

Officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have not responded to emails and phone calls seeking comment on the allegations, which echo complaints advocates have been voicing for weeks about the treatment of people accused of crossing into the country illegally to escape drug gangs and poverty in Central America

Tannia Esparza, executive director of Young Women United, says the women she visited in Artesia Tuesday told her children with coughs and diarrhea aren't receiving medicine. She also says women told her pregnant detainees were targeted for swift deportation.

Esparza visited the Artesia complex yesterday with representatives of other groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the New Mexico Immigration Law Center.

Albuquerque Police Shoot, Kill Wanted SuspectThe Associated Press

Albuquerque police fatally shot an armed suspect wanted by federal authorities yesterday.

An APD spokesman told reporters that two officers shot Jeremy Joe Robertson, 33, after he fled from officers at a gas station. Albuquerque police had been called to help with an investigation conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police say Robertson pulled a firearm from his waistband and was viewed as a threat to people in the area.  And that he had felony warrants and a history of violent encounters with law enforcement.

According to court records, Robertson had two outstanding warrants on probation violations connected to charges of receiving and transferring stolen vehicles.

The shooting comes as the city of Albuquerque and the U.S. Justice Department are negotiating over ordered reforms following a DOJ investigation and highly critical report on the department's use of force.

There have been 41 officer involved shootings in Albuquerque since 2010 — 27 of them fatal.

Albuquerque Police Say Victim Shot Multiple Times - The Associated Press

Albuquerque police say they have a person in custody as they investigate a shooting.

According to Officer Fred Duran, officers went to a location where a shooting was reported in southeast Albuquerque early Wednesday morning.

No information is immediately available on the condition of the shooting victim found by the responding officers but Duran says the victim was shot multiple times.

Duran says the person who allegedly shot the victim had left the location before police arrived but then returned and was taken into custody.

No identities have been released.

Police: NM School Official Failed To Report Abuse - The Associated Press

A New Mexico physician and private school operator is facing charges after authorities say she failed to report child abuse that later led to the death of a 7-month-old.

Las Cruces police said 69-year-old Ann Mercer was arrested yesterday and charged with three misdemeanor counts of failure to report child abuse or child neglect in connection with the death of Shania Smith.

Authorities say Shania died July 9th after her mom covered the infant in several layers of blankets in order to avoid hearing her cry.

Detectives say one of the mom's older daughters told Mercer prior to the baby's death that her mother was refusing to feed Shania and placed blankets on her for long periods of time.

State law requires school officials to report child abuse.

Lawmaker Suggests Revamping Film Incentive Cap - The Associated Press

A state legislator says New Mexico should consider lifting a cap on film production tax incentives.

Senate Democratic Whip Tim Keller of Albuquerque says the incentives are cost effective based on a newly released study performed by an independent consulting firm.

The study found film production spending had generated nearly 15,900 jobs and economic output of $1.5 billion over nearly five years.

Gov. Susana Martinez sought to cut the incentives in 2011 but agreed to legislation limiting tax refunds to $50 million annually. The refunds peaked at $96 million in 2011.

Martinez signed legislation last year to sweeten the tax incentives for certain TV and film productions.

Santa Fe Lawyer Appointed To New Judgeship - The Associated Press

A Santa Fe lawyer has been appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to a newly created district court judgeship but will only serve temporarily until the general election.

Martinez announced Tuesday that Jennifer Attrep will fill the new spot on the 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe until the end of the year. Attrep's appointment fills a position created with the signing of a new law establishing additional judgeships throughout the state.

The Democratic Party has nominated Matthew Wilson, a district judge who lost in the primary election, to appear on the ballot for the position.

The GOP hasn't announced a nominee.

Normally, candidates for a judgeship would face off in a primary. But because the position wasn't officially available until May, there was not enough time for candidates to participate in the primary.

Flags Lowered On Navajo Nation For Code Talker - The Associated Press

Flags are flying at half-staff on the Navajo Nation in honor of a Code Talker.

The tribe says Edward Anderson died Sunday at a Phoenix hospital. He was 89.

Navajo President Ben Shelly has ordered flags lowered in honor of Anderson through sunset Saturday.

Funeral services for Anderson are scheduled Friday at the Ganado Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow in Ft. Defiance.

Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp at the age of 18 and was one of hundreds of Navajos trained in a code based on their native language. The Japanese never were able to break the code, credited with helping the U.S. win World War II.

Anderson served with the Marines from 1942 to 1945.

He and his late wife, Ione Hillis Anderson, had five children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.