By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As the giggling preschoolers planted the field of spinning pinwheels in Bowling Green Wednesday morning, they were standing up for less fortunate children.
“We told them they are going to be planting these pinwheels to help boys and girls who have had bad or sad things happen to them,” said Susie Dunn, of Dunn’s Kiddie Kare, who brought 24 children to help at this year’s Pinwheels for Prevention project.
Each of the 718 pinwheels represents an investigated case of child abuse or neglect in Wood County last year, according to Sandi Carsey, director of Children’s Services.
The purpose of the annual event is to remind people to not sit by quietly as abuse occurs. “We want to raise awareness for child abuse – to get people to make reports when they see something,” Carsey said.
The 718 case count last year is just two over the number from 2014. But Carsey noted that the reports of abuse or neglect have increased greatly early this year, with 89 in February and 80 in March, compared to the average of 60 to 70 a month.
Carsey also said that more cases continue to be seen with parents addicted to opiates.
718 pinwheels represent cases of child abuse last year.
As Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson helped the children plant the pinwheels, he talked about the serious side of the event.
“We want people to pay more attention to concerns about child abuse, and to learn to report it,” he said.
Dobson echoed the concerns about opiate addictions having an impact, saying an analysis of criminal cases in Wood County during 2015 showed that 22 percent involved opiates in some way.
Dave Wigent, director of Wood County Job and Family Services, said the numbers of child abuse cases here have remained pretty stable, rather than increasing as expected. That means, he added, “they are also not going down.”
That is the goal of the annual pinwheel project.
“We are trying to keep the county aware that we still have child abuse in Wood County,” Wigent said. “We can’t do anything unless somebody reports it.”
This year, the pinwheel project is rooted in front of the Lubrizol plant, at 1142 N. Main St., Bowling Green.
Matt Paquette, plant manager, said he is pleased to host the field of pinwheels.
“We’ve seen this going on for years, and the tremendous work that Children’s Services does,” Paquette said. “This is just a little something we can do. We’re actually pretty excited to be a part of it.”
The pinwheels will remain planted until the first week of May. The number to call to report possible children abuse or neglect in Wood County is 419-354-9669.
