3rd Annual Southern New Mexico Conference
on Child Abuse and Neglect
April 8 - 11, 2025
Inn of the Mountain Gods
287 Carrizo Canyon Rd., Mescalero, NM 88340
Kid’s Inc. Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is excited and proud to host the
3rd Annual Southern New Mexico
Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
at The Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero, NM from April 8 – 11th, 2025.
This conference provides practical and interactive instruction to those fighting crimes against children and helping children heal.
Through the generous support of several sponsors, Kid’s Inc. Child Advocacy Center is once again able to host this conference FREE of charge for all attendees. We will bring together professionals employed by government or nonprofit agencies in the fields of prosecution, law enforcement, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, mental health, medicine, and many more who work directly with child victims of crime. The conference not only provides core and advanced training and skill development but also the opportunity to learn from and network with professionals from various disciplines involved in the child welfare community.
Kid’s Inc. CAC truly believes in the child advocacy center model as well as the effectiveness of a well-trained and competent Multidisciplinary Team and is proud to offer this conference in an effort to build capacity for the welfare of New Mexico children and families.
Registration for the 3rd Annual Southern New Mexico Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect is open now!
The conference sessions will be available in person only and will be at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero, NM. There is a great lineup of presenters available during the four (4) day conference, and there will be advanced training hours available through the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. Certificates of Attendance will be available upon completion of the conference and auditing of attendance records.
**New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy has approved 28.0 credits for NM Certified Law Enforcement.
The conference will contain the following subject matter presentations and the time-specific Agenda will be distributed prior to the beginning of the conference. Presenter information and bios are also provided below.
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (8:30 am – 10:00 am Check-In; Opening Remarks, Conference 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Lunch 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm approximate)
- “Handling Experts”; Rebekah Reyes, Deputy District Attorney, Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Albuquerque, NM
- “Corroboration Unlocked: A Masterclass in Investigative Strategies (Parts 1 & 2); Detective Michael Lee, President and Founder, National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association, Montgomery County, TX
- Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (8:30 am – 5:00 pm; Lunch 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm approximate)
- “Vicarious Trauma – The Hidden Pain of Frontline Workers and First Responders”.; Dr. Doug Gilmer, 35+ year law enforcement veteran, Founder and President of Resolved Strategies, LLC, Birmingham, AL
- “Collaborating on Purpose: What is Collaboration? What does it look like? What are the outcomes?”; Dr. Doug Gilmer
- “Banta and Beyond: A Study on How Police and Child Protective Services Failed and How We Can Grow (Parts 1 & 2); Det. Michael Lee, President and Founder, National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association; Michael Ghutzman, Assistant District Attorney, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, TX
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 (8:30 am – 5:00 pm; Lunch 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm approximate)
- “Starvation and Torture”; “Fractures and Burns”; Dr. Shalon Nienow, Division Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, Medical Director at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Clinical Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine
- “Fundamentals of Interview and Interrogation” (Parts 1 & 2); Det. Darrel Lambert, TX and Det. Valentin “Val” De Los Santos, TX
- Friday, April 11 (8:30 am – 12:00 pm)
- “From Initial Disclosure to Prosecution: the “Short Step” Process for Child Abuse Cases”; Det. Michael Lee
- “GPS: Silly Rabbit, Tech is Not Just for Kids”; Kyle Hartsock, Commander, Albuquerque Police Department Criminal Investigation Division
**Final Agenda / Presentation Schedule subject to change
~~~There will also be a FREE networking event / reception on the evening of Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Pre-registration will be required to attend and you will receive a ticket in your registration materials. This free reception event will be open to the conference attendee only, no guests will be allowed – thank you for your understanding. Cash bar will be available.
*Lunch will be on your own each day and there are several options available on property. Coffee, water, tea, some light snacks will be provided during the day.
Make plans NOW to attend!!
Thirteen (13) sessions in four (4) days, the 3rd Annual Southern New Mexico Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect promises to provide something for everyone with presenters who are recognized for their passion and expertise.
The combination of high-quality training and networking opportunities will challenge and inspire everyone who attends the conference.
A conference rate room block is now available at The Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd., Mescalero, NM 88340.
The discounted room rate of $109 per room daily plus tax and applicable fees. You can make your reservation by calling (575) 464-7059. Be sure to tell them you are attending this conference to receive the conference rate. Kid’s Inc. Child Advocacy Center is excited for this year’s conference and can’t wait to see everyone in April!
Please reach out with any questions:
Cambri Syling, Executive Director, cambri@kidsinccac.com (575) 921-5032
Melanie Gilmore, MDT Coordinator, melanie@kidsinccac.com, (575) 921-8375
Presenter Bios:
Valentin “Val” De Los Santos
Currently works as a Sergeant for one of the largest police departments in Texas, currently assigned to patrol division.
He has worked in his department for over 16 years, more than 6 as an investigator. Val has hundreds of hours in the interview room with suspects for crimes ranging from aggravated assaults, aggravated robberies, homicides, human trafficking up to the continuous sexual abuse of children. Val is a graduate of Texas State University. He is a certified TCOLE instructor. Val has served in the United States Navy active duty and reserves for almost 30 years.
Michael Ghutzman
Assistant District Attorney, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Michael Ghutzman is an Assistant District Attorney with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in Texas. He previously worked for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office (2014-2017). . Michael has served as an Assistant District Attorney at the MCDAO, in the Special Crimes Division (White Collar Crimes), Felony Trial Division, and in the Special Victims Division, where he has prosecuted felony cases involving the sexual exploitation of children and advised law enforcement on proactive investigations involving Internet Crimes Against Children. Currently, Michael has over 450 years in felony sentences. Michael holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, and a Master of Public Service and Administration from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University
Doug Gilmer, Ph.D.
Founder and President, Resolved Strategies, LLC, Birmingham, Alabama
Dr. Doug Gilmer is the 2024 recipient of the William Wilberforce Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts in countering human trafficking around the world. A 35+ year law enforcement veteran, Doug most recently served as the Senior Law Enforcement Advisor at the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) in Washington, D.C. In this appointment, Doug was responsible for external engagement, stakeholder development, and strategy implementation. Prior to this position, he served as the Resident Special Agent in Charge and Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Birmingham, Alabama; Chief of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit, and in many other leadership and investigative assignments throughout his federal law enforcement career. In 2021, Doug completed his PhD at Columbia International University in South Carolina where he completed groundbreaking research and his dissertation on the outcomes of collaborative, multidisciplinary teams in countering human trafficking. Although retired as of August 2024, Doug’s dedication to efforts surrounding anti-trafficking/exploitation has not stopped.
He is the Founder & President of Resolved Strategies, LLC, a global justice solutions group, helping connect organizations with relationships, resources, technology, and training they need; while also helping build collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively address the various forms of human exploitation around the world. A well published author and passionate communicator, Doug strives to connect people and organizations with a mission and purpose to drive change in their communities and around the world.
Kyle Hartsock
Commander, Albuquerque Police Department Criminal Investigation Division
Kyle Hartsock has been a police officer for 21 years and has worked in criminal investigations since 2009. His career began with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), where he created the Ghost Unit, pioneering a victim-centered response to human trafficking in Albuquerque. He later led the Crime Strategies Unit at the District Attorney’s Office, where his team solved New Mexico’s first forensic genealogy case—a cold stranger sexual assault of a runner in the Bosque.
Currently, Kyle serves as Commander of the Albuquerque Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Under his leadership, the department launched one of the state’s first full-time mobile digital forensic units, which has been instrumental in doubling APD’s clearance rate. He has testified as an expert in court on social media and cell phone use in murder and sexual assault cases and remains dedicated to advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sexual assault kit testing and investigations.
Darrel Lambert
Currently works as a detective for one of the largest police departments in Texas, investigating crimes against children.
He has worked in his department for over 17 years, more than 6 as an investigator. Darrel has hundreds of hours in the interview room with suspects for crimes ranging from simple assaults up to the continuous sexual abuse of children and even murder. Darrel has a bachelor’s degree with honors from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. He is a certified TCOLE instructor. Darrel has received awards including Lifesaving, Meritorious Service, Honorable Conduct, and others while serving in his department. Darrel writes a popular blog on interview and interrogation that is read by many in the field https://lewispurdy.substack.com He is also one of the primary instructors for interview and interrogation at their department.
Michael Lee
President and Founder; National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association
Michael Lee has 13 years of experience at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Texas and has dedicated the last 7 years to the Special Victim’s Unit as a Major Crimes Detective. He has a Master Peace Officer Certificate, TCOLE Instructor Certificate, and is an expert in statement analysis and criminal behavioral profiling. He has contributed to thousands of cases and is recognized as an expert witness by the IDVSA (at UT Austin) and the ICCR (Crimes Against Women Conference). He has testified in court as an expert in child abuse investigations and is involved with the APSAC’s Task Force on Munchausen by Proxy. He is the Founder and President of the NCACIA, serving as a case consultant and training coordinator.
Dr. Shalon Nienow
Division Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, Medical Director at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Clinical Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
As a child abuse pediatrician, Dr Nienow provides medical evaluations for children who are alleged victims of all forms of child abuse/neglect. She frequently serves as an expert witness in civil and criminal legal proceedings related to all aspects of child maltreatment. Dr. Nienow has conducted research in patterns of disclosure in child sexual abuse as well as on methods of testing for sexually transmitted infections in children, and she has co-authored publications on both topics. She regularly provides training to various members of the multidisciplinary team. Dr. Nienow serves on the NCE planning committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Child Abuse and Neglect, was an editor for the AAP’s latest publication of the Visual Diagnosis CD, served on the ABP content development team for Maintenance of Certification for the Child Abuse Sub-Board, and was elected to the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Counsel on Child Abuse and Neglect. In addition, she was chosen to serve as a subject matter consultant for the 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD Treatment Guidelines section regarding sexual assault or abuse of children. Her areas of professional interest include starvation and torture, abusive burn patterns, psychological maltreatment, medical child abuse, disclosure patterns and sexually transmitted infections.
Rebekah Reyes
Deputy District Attorney, Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Albuquerque, NM
Rebekah works as a prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit which prosecutes all adult and child sexual offenses, felony level child abuse, and child homicide and death cases. She has been a prosecutor for eight (8) years, almost all of which have been working crimes against children. She has a special interest in abusive head trauma and other medically complex cases. She also owns and handles Jake, one of the facility dogs which sits with victims during meetings and interviews.
