Pinwheels represent Happy Healthy Children Lifestyles! (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Pinwheels for Child Abuse
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Whirling pinwheels brings a smile to our faces. The thoughts of children running and laughing, picnics and happy times are just some of the images that come forth. But on April 1st, Pinwheels took on another more sobering meaning as they symbolized the start of the National Child Abuse Prevention month.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Employees of the Bay County Department of Human Services joined together with the area CAN Counsel (Child Abuse and Neglect) Great Lakes Bay Region to host the annual planting of the pinwheels. As noted by the CAN Counsel Outreach specialist Catherine Martinez, the pinwheel is a symbol of the happy and healthy lifestyle all children deserve.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Catherine Martinez and DHS Child Protective Services worker Jessire Ramos organized this year's event as members from both agencies helped plant a 100 pinwheels at the front of the DHS building. The ceremony was highlighted by the reading of "We Pray for Children" by Ina Hughes by newly appointed Bay County Probate Judge John C. Keuvelaar.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Local DHS director Kim Bejcek pointed out that the number of reported child abuse cases over the last four years has been increasing. Over that time period there have been 9,297 reported complaints of child abuse according to Bejcek, with 1,254 of those complaints being confirmed investigations.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Judge Keuvelaar pointed out that when he took over as the assistant Prosecutor assigned to probate matters 16 years ago, there were 24 removal petitions filed that year. That number steadily increased to 61 petitions filed in 2013 and 58 petitions filed in 2014. He also noted the increase in substantiated complaints, those where an in home perpetrator is identified, has been the result of better training which has lead to better investigations, increased number of workers who can respond and coordination with local law enforcement.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Local schools and churches as well as county buildings and 7 area McDonald Restaurants have joined in to plant their own Pinwheel Garden in support of the National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Other area events are slated to bring more attention to this issue.
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