FBI Missteps Highlighted in Child Abuse Cases

A recent Justice Department Inspector General report revealed that the FBI continues to mishandle child sexual abuse allegations despite implementing new protocols following the Larry Nassar case. The report highlighted serious deficiencies, noting that in nearly half of the 327 cases reviewed, the FBI failed to report allegations to local law enforcement, which contributed to prolonged abuse, including instances where victims were not protected for over a year. The findings indicate a lack of staffing and resources, with some agents managing around 60 cases each, leading to critical cases falling through the cracks. Although the FBI has acknowledged its mistakes and agreed to the report's recommendations, it still faces scrutiny for not adequately addressing the issues identified. The watchdog also noted that many flagged incidents were due to documentation failures rather than substantive investigative actions. The FBI maintains that it is committed to improving its response to child abuse allegations.