Appeals Court: Cochise judge ruled improperly in LDS abuse case

TUCSON — The unreported abuse endured years ago by several children in Bisbee could change how adults in Arizona are held accountable for not speaking up about suspected abuse and neglect, according to a recent ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals. The March 21 appellate ruling found Judge Timothy Dickerson of the Cochise County Superior Court erred in 2023 by interpreting Arizona’s Mandated Reporter Law as applying to certain adults only if they have a professional relationship with a child..