CARING DEPUTY PULLS HARD DUTY; NOT EVERYONE CAN WORK CHILD ABUSE DETAIL.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

Mike Wilson has one of the toughest assignments a sheriff's deputy can take, one that goes home with you, one that keeps you up at night.

Investigating cases of child abuse hits a raw nerve in any deputy, particularly one like Wilson, who has children of his own.

``It can be mentally draining. I've seen deputies in their lockers crying because of what they saw happen to a child. They have children, too,'' said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Mike Becker, Wilson's superior.

Wilson is the lead investigator in a Santa Clarita case involving a 3-week-old boy who was burned, beaten and shaken perhaps every day of his short life until his parents' arrests. The pair is jailed, accused of the attempted murder and torture of their infant son, officials said.

Seeing murder victims, working hostage situations and arresting suspected felons is tough, but investigating the horrifying abuse of an infant is unspeakable, Wilson said.

Recognizing this, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department carefully considers the placement of officers on the child abuse unit.

``The (department) tries to select people who have an even keel and are capable of dealing with children and adults,'' said Wilson, whose been with the child abuse unit for six years.

Wilson and partner Deputy Nancy Olsen are trying to build a case against Canyon Country residents Carl John Oliveri, 37, and Sheila Jackman, 31, suspected of battering their infant son, according to officials.

``The baby is not going to be all right. He is damaged for life,'' said a somber Wilson, speaking about the case after investigators recovered drug paraphernalia, photos and other potential evidence in an early morning raid of the couple's home Sept. 29.

Physical and mental burnout in officers working in child abuse is always a concern of the department, Becker said.

``There is a lot of sensitivity involved, a lot of work, so we carefully monitor each deputy's caseload,'' Becker said. The 20-year veteran said that not all officers are cut out for this kind of duty.

``I've seen some officers come into the child abuse division and jump right out because mentally they can't handle this,'' he said.

Sgt. Steve Jenkins of the Santa Clarita sheriff's station said it takes a unique deputy to work in the child abuse division on a regular basis.

``Oftentimes I see deputies who get real upset when they are at a traffic accident involving a child, so to deal with abused children all the time would be difficult,'' Jenkins said.

Wilson's daily approach is simple. The deputy knows what type of environment he is in and prepares daily.

``You can get attached, take it home, but you know what's involved,'' he said. Contrary to what his peers have said, a modest Wilson said he believes most officers are cut out for this line of work.

Not true, Jenkins said.

``We have many specialized units, but child abuse is something I wouldn't want to do. I would find it very difficult,'' he said.

For Wilson, every new case brings on a new meaning because of his association in the community.

``(Wilson) is a part of that community, his family and children are a part of that community, they participate in that community,'' Becker said.