The Latest: Leaders hold special meeting after girl's death

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Published August 31, 2016 3:30AM (EDT)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on reaction to the brutal death of an Albuquerque girl last week (all times local):

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8:55 p.m.

Law enforcement and local school district officials in Albuquerque are telling city leaders that drug abuse and poverty are at the root of much of the violence that children in New Mexico's largest city may face at home.

The comments on Tuesday evening before a panel of city counselors and county commissioners came during a special meeting organized in response to the horrific killing last week of a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl who authorities say was found dead in the apartment she shared with her mother.

Three people are facing charges in the case, including her mother, the mother's boyfriend and his cousin.

City and county officials called the meeting to address the brutal slaying in hopes of identifying opportunities for the community to better protect children.

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2:45 p.m.

City and county officials have called a special meeting to address the brutal slaying of a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl in the hopes of identifying opportunities for the community to better protect children.

Officials say they will be seeking funding for more social workers, and exploring solutions for drug treatment, mental health services and child abuse prevention.

The meeting is being organized by Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O'Malley and Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Pena.

It comes nearly a week after police say they found the dismembered body of Victoria Martens in her mother's apartment while responding to a pre-dawn disturbance. Three people have been arrested in connection with Victoria's death.

The girl's mother, the mother's boyfriend and his cousin face charges of child abuse resulting in death, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.


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