Advocate 'backbone' for Hispanic victims

Just moments after the shocking realization that her 1-month-old boy had been kidnapped from her car, Lidia Juarez, a native of Mexico who speaks no English, heard a calming voice.

Cutting through the chaos -- in clearly delivered Spanish -- North Charleston's newly hired Hispanic victims' advocate told Juarez she could trust local authorities to help find her "Baby Angel."

"There was a sign of relief in her face," recalled Minna Hosseini. "She could tell I was on the side of the police."

North Charleston's growing Hispanic population has prompted the city to have a Spanish-speaking victim's advocate ready for a variety of police matters.

Mayor Keith Summey said he is a realist in acknowledging the Hispanic population has taken root, though no one is sure about the numbers. Officials believe it is moving toward the tens of thousands and includes both legal and undocumented immigrants.

Spanish became Hosseini's language of choice while she was studying at Wofford College. It seemed an odd pick for someone with such an international background.

Hosseini, 26, was born and grew up in London. Her mother is Chinese; her father, Iranian. The family, which speaks a variety of languages, moved to the United States when she was 12, sending her to Middleton High School. Her family knew "the U.S. is the land to be," she said.

At Wofford, Hosseini said she was drawn to Spanish as a language and a culture, eventually spending time abroad, including nearly a year in the Dominican Republic.

She also worked as a volunteer with various organizations, including People Against Rape. "It opened my eyes to a vulnerable population," she said.

Hosseini, who has been on the job since November, was hired thanks to a $47,000 state grant pursued in response to the upswing in North Charleston's Hispanic population and coinciding statistics that show Hispanics are increasingly targeted as crime victims.

Hosseini's duties include responding to crime scenes, doing follow-up investigations with victims and interpreting court actions. Other aspects of her duties include visiting area schools with large Hispanic populations and encouraging students to speak English.

Hosseini said she can't comment on the Baby Angel kidnapping case but she remembers the scene being chaotic that November day. She remembers first having to gain the trust of the grieving mother whose son was taken after she'd left him in her car outside a post office. "She was definitely under stress," Hosseini said.

Authorities believe a 19-year-old woman had been shadowing Juarez for some time until the opportunity arose to snatch the baby.

Acting on a tip, Andrea Samone Walker of Goose Creek was arrested and charged with kidnapping Angel Miguel Perez. The boy was recovered unharmed.

Hosseini said the best part of her duties is helping people unfamiliar with the legal system, often as first-time crime victims. It means being their "backbone," she said.

The kidnapping may have been the most high-profile case Hosseini has worked, but police Detective James Walley said Hosseini's efforts have aided officers in other areas, as a time-saver in getting statements and in building trust with a growing part of the community.

"I think that goes a long way," he said of her efforts. "Just because you speak Spanish doesn't mean someone will be forthcoming and as trusting."

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.