By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Every spring, the sparkling pinwheels are a somber reminder of the number of child abuse, neglect and dependency cases investigated in Wood County.
This year, the field of pinwheels is particularly sobering – topping out at 969 cases in 2022 – the most ever recorded by Wood County Children Services.
On Wednesday morning, children from First United Methodist Child Learning Center planted the pinwheels in front of the church at 1528 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green, where they will remain for the rest of April, Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The spinning pinwheels are a reminder to the public that child abuse and neglect happen everywhere.
“It’s important to raise awareness,” said Wood County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Charles McDonald, who works on child sexual abuse cases in the county. “We’re here. No one is alone. There are resources available.”
The 969 investigations conducted in 2022 represent an increase of 112 from the previous year, according to Sandi Carsey, protective services administrator at Wood County Job and Family Services.
“It’s important that if you have a concern about a family, we’re here to help,” Carsey said. “We want to help families build on their strengths and keep their kids safe.”
The increase in cases could be linked to the fact that some cases went unreported during the COVID pandemic, when many children weren’t seen on a regular basis by the people who often notice concerns – like teachers, doctors, coaches and others in the community, Carsey said.
“Kids are seen now because people are out and about,” she said.
COVID also led to mental health and substance abuse issues, adding stress to families. And many families struggled financially when extra unemployment assistance and other supports were discontinued, Carsey said.
Those stressors are likely to continue.
“We haven’t seen the effect of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) being reduced. But that could affect many people,” she added. “I think it’s a lot of stress.”
Carsey said her 38-member Children Services and Adult Protective Services staffs are coping with the increased cases. The county program continues to be one of the top in the state for meeting mandates among large counties.
“We have a strong team. They are handling it the best they can,” she said.
But stressful caseload numbers do tend to lead to faster burnout among social workers, Carsey said.
Anyone wanting to report concerns about abused or neglected children should call Wood County Children’s Services at 419-354-9669.
