Pinal County Attorney, James P. Walsh has appointed Alden “Butch” L. Gates, as the interim Director of the Pinal County Attorney’s Family Advocacy Center, following the resignation of Christina Schopen. Ms. Schopen has accepted a position as Director of the City of Avondale Advocacy Center. Gates, the Lead Investigator for the Center, has been with the program since Oct. 2006. He'll be in charge of the program until a permanent director is appointed.
The Family Advocacy Center, located near I-10 in Toltec, assists Pinal County law enforcement agencies in the investigation of child sexual abuse cases. The Center provides forensic interviews & forensic examinations which formerly required officers to transport victims to either Phoenix or Tucson. Investigators, Child Protective Service workers, a forensic interviewer & trained law enforcement personnel staff the Center. During the past 6 months, the Center served 324 children in situations ranging from sexual abuse to neglect.
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is beginning the process to search for a permanent director for the program.