PRESS RELEASE

August 15, 2006

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

Girl Scout Donates New Toys to D.A.’s Office; Will Be Distributed to Young Victims of Crime

     STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today accepted a donation of 82 new toys from a Staten Island Girl Scout, 11 year old Milena Battaglia, who collected the toys as part of a Scouting service project. The toys will be distributed, through the District Attorney’s office, to young children who are victims of, or witnesses to, crime.

     “My office regularly deals with children who are victims of crime who have to be removed from their family situations with their only possessions being the clothes on their backs,” stated the District Attorney, “These toys, collected by this wonderful young lady, will go a long way in comforting them and providing tangible proof that we are here to protect them.”

     Milena Battaglia, a Junior Level Girl Scout of Troop 5045, completed the collection project to fulfill her service requirement of the Girl Scouts “Bronze Award.” She was inspired to undertake this project after attending a tour of the District Attorney’s office this Spring as part of D.A. Donovan’s Crime Prevention Week, which introduces local Girl and Boy Scouts to the work of Staten Island’s police, prosecutors and courts. During the tour, conducted by Andrew Scudera, the D.A.’s Photo/Video Director, Ms. Battaglia learned about the Sex Crimes/Special Victims Bureau’s “Children’s Interview Room” where young victims and witnesses are interviewed in a comfortable and child-friendly environment.

     The formal presentation took place in the office of District Attorney Donovan and was attended by Ms. Battaglia’s parents, Christine and Joseph, as well as her older sister, Jacqueline, age 15.

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