The FBI has failed to investigate a significant number of child sex cases properly, according to a damning watchdog report.
An Officer of Inspector General investigation found that 13% of child sex cases were mishandled between October 2021 and February 2023.
For its review, the OIG looked at 300 out of 3,925 cases that allegedly involved a hands-on sex offense against a child or similar offense. 42 of the cases reviewed were flagged as requiring "immediate attention."
In one of those cases, the FBI's inaction led to a minor victim being assaulted by a registered sex offender for 15 months after the FBI first received a tip about the perpetrator.
"After we raised this incident to the FBI’s attention, the FBI took appropriate action, and the subject was indicted on federal charges," the OIG said.
The OIG found "substantial non-compliance" with requirements to promptly report child sex abuse to state and local law enforcement and social services.
"We also found that when FBI employees made a report, they followed FBI policy and reported the abuse within 24 hours of learning the facts
in only 43 percent of the reports and fully documented only 17 percent of the reports," the investigation found.
The internal review came after the FBI's failure to investigate sexual predator and former Team USA women’s gymnastics physician Larry Nassar. The Justice Department reached a $138.7 million settlement with Nassar's victims this year.
A lawyer for Nassar's victims, John Manly, said the OIG report proves the FBI hasn't kept its promises of reform.
"This report makes clear that the FBI is simply not doing its job when it comes to protecting our children from the monsters among us who stalk them,” said John Manly. “Despite years of promises and numerous congressional hearings it’s now clear that the Larry Nassar scandal could happen again today.”
The FBI often cites its role in combatting sex crimes to fend off criticism and threats of defunding from Republicans, who say the FBI has been weaponized against conservatives.
“Ensuring the safety and security of children is not just a priority for the FBI; it is a solemn duty that we are committed to fulfilling with the highest standards. The FBI’s efforts combating crimes against children are among the most critical and demanding undertakings we do,” the agency said.
