By: (AP) The Akron Beacon Journal did not have the right to all of the information in two police reports involving crimes against children, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, a decision that allows police to conceal the identity of any child who is a victim of abuse.
The reports fell under a state law that keeps reports of child abuse confidential, the court said in its unanimous decision overturning an appeals court decision.
"In my view, the appeals court followed the law and the Supreme Court followed its heart," said Karen Lefton, the newspaper's attorney.
She said the newspaper believes the law should not include crimes in which the perpetrator is a stranger.
The Beacon Journal sought an internal police report about two officers who tried to scare a 15-year-old cousin of one of the officers into behaving properly at the request of the boy's mother.
Police released a copy of the report but deleted names and identifying information about the boy and his mother. The newspaper wanted their names so reporters could interview them about the department's handling of the case, Lefton said.
The newspaper also sought a police incident report on the rape of a 14-year-old girl by two boys. Police refused to provide a copy.
The court ruled that in both cases police had the right to delete references to the individuals' identities and addresses but had to turn over the reports.
"That's the good news from this decision," Lefton said. "They won't be able to yank the reports just because the victim is a child."
Akron police did not return a message seeking comment on the ruling.
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