Police chief says he recently learned that the narcotics division had received tips about the illegal injections as far back as May 2001, but had failed to investigate them.
Police Chief William Bratton said today he has opened an
internal investigation of the department's possible mishandling of tips about
dangerous practices by illegal faith healers.
The investigation comes four days after an Orange County man died after a faith
healer allegedly injected him with an unknown substance.
Bratton said he recently learned that the Police Department's narcotics
division had received tips about the illegal injections as far back as May
2001, but it had failed to investigate them. He said the tips continued over
the last year and a half.
"At this stage I'm not looking to place blame. I am looking to get
answers," Bratton said.
The chief, who was publically sworn in on Monday, said the investigation is
part of his effort to increase the department's transparency and improve its
relations with the public.
Roberto Caceres, 54, of Santa Ana, died Monday after allegedly receiving
injections of an unknown substance from Reina Isabel Chavarria, 48, and her
assistant, Margarita Montes, 28. Caceres sought the injections to clear up a
rash.
Both women, of the Van Nuys area, were arrested and charged Wednesday with
involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license. They were
freed on $25,000 bail.
The coroner's office is analyzing the substance used in the injection.
The two women could be sentenced to as much as nine years in prison if
convicted.