In a recently released press release, Twin Falls Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs is speaking out, reassuring the public that the case of an alleged sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl in Twin Falls by three young boys last month is still being investigated.
"I think there are some general things to reassure the public that people are taking this seriously," said Loebs. "The police and my office are both analyzing all of the evidence and continuing to gather some evidence. We constantly adjust and reevaluate the strength of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the charges themselves to make sure we have the appropriate charges filed and that we have evidence to support them."
The case -- which has been sealed by a judge due to the fact that it involves juveniles -- continues to receive national attention from many alternative right-wing websites. One such site just reported last week that the family has not been allowed copies of many of the police transcripts and medical records surrounding the case. Loebs says that is true but not unusual.
"Even if the case were not sealed, ongoing information about an ongoing criminal case, police reports about an ongoing criminal case, are never released to anybody," explained Loebs.
Loebs said the victim's parents in the case have been allowed access to all of the documents, including police medical records to look through, but copies simply cannot be made. He said it is a precaution to protect the victim, the accused and the investigation.
"It is impossible to investigate a case and have everything that you do during the investigation reported on the evening news," said Loebs. "I think, to some extent, she believes that the police and law enforcement are not doing their jobs and not treating her properly, but there is nothing in the way that this case is being handled that is anything but proper in terms of how we are handling the victim and the victim's family."
Another point drawing fire on social media is that the alleged perpetrators families are accused of still living near the victims despite an eviction order. Loebs said he believes one of the families is, in fact, still residing in the apartment complex, but contrary to reports, he does not have any indication of the victims being harassed.
"It's possible that some things are happening and the family has not reported it to police. It's possible that some things are happening and they have reported it to police and they don't have enough evidence as to who is doing anything, but if there are people threatening or intimidating witnesses in this case, they will be treated according to the law, and the law declares that to be a felony," explained Loebs.
