WINNSBORO — American Electric Power (AEP) has donated $26,000 to the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center to assist them in obtaining digital imaging equipment and a computer for the Gilmer satellite. This equipment will enable law enforcement and prosecutors the utilization of a new tool to aid in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.

According to T. Brian Bond with AEP, “the foundation strives to improve the quality of life in the communities where American Electric Power (AEP), it operating units and its employees live and work”.

“Nurses will use the camera to take high-resolution images of the body areas that have been injured during a physical or sexual assault, and then transmit the images over a secure network which has a level of encryption that is higher than the military’s to detectives and prosecutors”, according to Executive Director, Jerry Edwards.

“The camera replaces the colposcope - a lighted magnifying device that gynecologists also use - in sexual assault examinations. The camera is smaller than a colposcope and captures higher-resolution images”, Edwards noted. "It takes such clear photos and is many times better than a colposcope."

The camera will aid in investigations and prosecutions of child abuse crimes because its level of detail will capture even the subtlest injuries a victim suffered during an assault.

Since the images can be sent electronically, prosecutors can submit them to forensic specialists to get expert opinions for use during trials. Images of physical injuries suffered during an assault can be a powerful persuader for juries.

Jennifer Meyer, AEP’s Manager of External Affairs along with Ed Hawley, local service manager presented the check to Jerry Edwards at their Winnsboro office.