Judge Roach declares April as Child Abuse Awareness Month

The president of the Stephens County Child Welfare Board, Sharon Wimberley, went before Judge Michael Roach and the four County Commissioners, Will Warren, Eric O’Dell, Mark McCullouch and David Fambro, to ask that the month of April be declared Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Their request also asked permission to display 235 small, white crosses on the courthouse lawn for the month of April, to bring awareness to those who pass by, of how many children have died in this 22-county Region 2 during the latter part of 2019 and all of 2020, from child abuse or neglect.

Last year, the board did not display the crosses due to COVID-19. For several years prior to this past year, the board methodically placed the rows and rows of small, white crosses on the Stephens County Courthouse lawn to draw attention to Child Abuse Awareness. Additionally, the display includes pinwheels and cutouts of children. Also, a large cross is placed in front or behind the small crosses with a sign to explain what the crosses represent.

The display also includes 20 pairs of shoes hung on the two large trees in front which represents the 20 Foster children, who are in Foster Care and live with families in Stephens County.

At the end of April, April 30, there will be a candlelight ceremony with Judge Michael Roach, who will pray for all the children alive and deceased, who have to live in an atmosphere of abuse or neglect. Anyone is welcome to attend this special ceremony to take a moment to honor the children. The time and place will be announced later in April.

There are three million cases of Child Abuse in our nation annually and statistics indicate that 1,600 children die annually. Texas has ranked number one for several years in children deaths from child abuse or neglect. Not a statistic to be proud of for sure. Most of the children are under the age of three and most are boys. Two-thirds in drug treatment programs reported being abused as a child and 80% of the prison population were once in foster care. Within one year of aging out of Foster Care, 66% will be homeless, in jail or dead.

Be aware and learn the signs of Child Abuse. (1) The child shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance. (2) He/she has not received help for medical problems brought to the parent’s attention. (3) He/she has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes. (4) He/she is always watchful as though preparing for something bad to happen. (5) Lacks adult supervision. (6) Is overly compliant, passive or withdrawn. (7) Comes early, stays late and does not want to go home.

Call 1-800-4 A Child, to report child abuse. Also, check facebook for Blue Sunday activities and urge your church to pray for the children who live in an atmosphere of abuse and neglect on the last Sunday of April, April 25. Visit, blue sunday.org or email: info@bluesunday.org. Visit www.bluesunday.org for free Prevention and Relief Ideas.