Houston-area warrant roundup snags 22 for alleged crimes against children

Toney Williams, 41, was arrested during a warrant roundup April 10-13,2017, in connection with an alleged crime against children. The initiative was conducted by the Harris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Warrants Division and the Texas Attorney General's Office. less Toney Williams, 41, was arrested during a warrant roundup April 10-13,2017, in connection with an alleged crime against children. The initiative was conducted by the Harris County Sheriff's Office Criminal ... more Photo: Houston Crime Stoppers Photo: Houston Crime Stoppers Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Houston-area warrant roundup snags 22 for alleged crimes against children 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

As part of this month's national focus on child abuse prevention, three Houston-area agencies took part in a warrant roundup that led to 22 arrests.

The roundup was conducted April 10-13 by four teams representing the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Attorney General's Office. Houston Crime Stoppers conducted a news conference Friday to announce the initiative.

Those arrested, ranging in age from 19 to 60, were wanted for such alleged crimes as injury to a child, sexual assault of a child, continuing sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.

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Some of the worst cases of abuse have involved children's own family members, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Friday at the news conference.

"We all have a moral obligation to report any form of physical or sexual abuse," Gonzalez said. "When you do not become involved, the cycle of abuse can go undetected for years."

Each month, the sheriff's office handles more than 200 child abuse cases, Gonzalez said, so officials realize that 22 arrests will not end the problem.

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"We're going to continue to go aggressively after all these offenders," the sheriff said. "We understand there are many more."

In 2015, Texas had almost 67,000 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect, resulting in the deaths of 171 children, Houston Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious said at the news conference.

"We do not takes these numbers lightly," she said.